Theory and method of suitable evaluation for mine environmental positive effects development and utilization

Since the economic reform and opening up, the exploitation of mineral resources has made significant contributions to the economic development of China. However, due to the non-renewable nature of most mineral resources, a considerable number of mines are facing resource depletion and closure. How to develop and utilize the positive environmental effects left by these mines will become a crucial support for extending the mining industry value chain, ensuring green and low-carbon energy development, and achieving China’s strategic goals of “carbon peak” and “carbon neutrality”. To scientifically develop environmentally positive resources in mines, this study focused on four categories of goals in the development and utilization of positive environmental effects in mines: resources, energy, popular science and entertainment, and ecological carbon sinks. Based on the “Supply - Demand - Development” (SDD) constraint combination of mining supply ontology characteristics, specific market demands, and development and utilization conditions, a comprehensive evaluation constraint system was developed, consisting of 6 first-level constraints and 38 second-level constraints of corresponding attributes. Following the principles of goal-oriented development and utilization, a single-goal evaluation index set with 18 implementation items was constructed. Also, a single-goal suitability evaluation model was built which introduced the triangular fuzzy numbers to determine the index weights, and classified suitability into “suitable, more suitable, more difficult and difficult” based on suitability indices. Furthermore, considering the systematic complexity of the positive effects development and utilization of the mine environment, the logical relationships between the development and utilization objectives were analyzed. In addition, a multi-goal linear evaluation theory was proposed based on the comprehensive optimal concept of economic, ecological and social benefits. By solving through the ideal point method or single-goal linear programming solution, the comprehensive optimal solution or the most suitable set for the positive effects development and utilization of the mine environment was obtained. Finally, from the perspectives of national strategy, social needs, watershed ecology, and positive effect market development, the study provides some insights into the significant implications of the implementation and systematic evaluation of mine environmental positive effects development and utilization.