Publications by Year
Does poor regulation lead to pollution? Key takeaways from a systematic review.
Formal recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULAB) is a multibillion-dollar industry, valued at US$12.12 billion in 2024, and expected to grow to more than $26 billion within eight years. Demand for…
Formal recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULAB) is a multibillion-dollar industry, valued at US$12.12 billion in 2024, and expected to grow to more than $26 billion within eight years. Demand for recycled lead (Pb) for new batteries grows in developing countries where costs limit the uptake of lithium-ion batteries. ULAB recycling in these regions poses significant danger to human health and the environment. Stringent regulatory approaches for ULAB recycling in developing countries, intended to reduce pollution, have thus far been ineffective as they typically do not adequately cover small-scale informal recycling in rural and remote communities. We examine what characterises effective environmental regulation for ULAB recycling in developing countries through the use of a systematic review of 85 papers covering three decades of literature from 1977 to 2023, and applied constructivist grounded theory-informed thematic analysis using NVivo 14 to code and analyse data. We generated three key frameworks that characterise regulatory conditions associated with effectiveness in developing countries: well-crafted policies, adequate governance mechanisms, and mitigation measures to avoid pollution. The results indicate that effective regulation emerges from complex interactions that are simultaneously flexible and structured, inclusive yet focused, and locally relevant while also considering global efforts to address pollution-related Sustainable Development Goals.
IMWA Insights: Discussion of the public perception of a new open pit in As Pontes, Spain.
The measure of success.
Recreational use of acidic pit lakes – human health considerations for post closure planning.
Opportunities for sustainable mining pit lakes in Australia.
Pit lake sustainability; what is it, and how do I get it?
Due to operational and regulatory practicalities, pit lakes will continue to be legacies of many open-cut mining lease relinquishments. Unplanned or inappropriate management of these significant geographical features may lead to a…
Due to operational and regulatory practicalities, pit lakes will continue to be legacies of many open-cut mining lease relinquishments. Unplanned or inappropriate management of these significant geographical features may lead to a short-term liability to all stakeholders during mining operations, or to ongoing liability to the local community and environment following lease relinquishment. However, the potential for pit lakes to provide benefit to companies, communities and the environment is frequently unrecognised and yet may be a vital contribution to the sustainability of the open-cut mining industry. Improved remediation technologies are offering more avenues for pit lake end use than ever before, at the same time mining companies, local communities and regulatory authorities are also becoming more aware of the benefit these water resources have to offer. Sustainable pit lake management aims to better minimise short and long term pit lake liabilities, and yet also to maximise short and long term pit lake opportunities as well.
Nuisance midge (Chironomidae) plagues in urban wetlands: A catalyst for improved catchment management.
Perth has over 450 shallow urban lakes of which many have problems with nuisance midge plagues. Midges (Chironomidae) have aquatic larvae with non-biting adults emerging from the lake in the millions during…
Perth has over 450 shallow urban lakes of which many have problems with nuisance midge plagues. Midges (Chironomidae) have aquatic larvae with non-biting adults emerging from the lake in the millions during a plague. The sheer numbers severely impact on the quality of life for nearby residents. Lake Joondalup is a degraded urban lake that has experienced midge plagues over many years. Pesticide treatment is the only short-term solution currently available, however this is environmentally undesirable. Midge plagues galvanise, local communities, Politicians, Councilors and Agencies into dealing with the fundamental problem, as improved catchment management is the only long-term solution. Recent events at Lake Joondalup will be used as a case study of how plagues can result in improved catchment management.
Pit lakes: benefit or bane to companies, communities and the environment?
Due to operational and regulatory practicalities, pit lakes will continue to be common legacies of mining lease relinquishments. Unplanned or inappropriate management of these significant geographical features may lead to a short-term…
Due to operational and regulatory practicalities, pit lakes will continue to be common legacies of mining lease relinquishments. Unplanned or inappropriate management of these significant geographical features may lead to a short-term liability to all stakeholders during mining operations, or to ongoing liability to the local community and environment following lease relinquishment. Frequently unrecognised is the potential for pit lakes to provide benefit to companies, communities and the environment. Sustainable pit lake management aims to better minimise short and long term pit lake liabilities, and maximise short and long term pit lake opportunities as well. Improved remediation technologies are offering more avenues for pit lakes resource exploitation than ever before, at the same time that mining companies, local communities and regulatory authorities are also more aware than ever of the benefit of these water resources.