An Integrated Strategic Model for Managing Coal Mining-Related Environmental Liabilities in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

Coal mining in Santa Catarina, Brazil, began in the early 1900s and expanded significantly after 1950, currently representing 13% of national extraction activities. The environmental legacy of this activity includes widespread acid mine drainage (AMD), affecting soil and water quality across the region. Due to the large scale, geological complexity, and diverse stakeholder interests, these areas are classified as complex contaminated sites, where remediation efforts face high uncertainty and long timelines. This study proposes an Integrated Management Strategy based on Adaptive Management principles, emphasizing iterative planning, conceptual modeling, and risk-based prioritization. The strategy is tailored to the Santa Catarina Coal Basin, which spans over 900,000 hectares, and incorporates site-specific data, stakeholder engagement, and performance monitoring. Expected outcomes include the development of a flexible and scalable framework for environmental recovery, capable of guiding decision-making under uncertainty. Practical contributions involve tools for prioritizing interventions, improving coordination among institutions, and enhancing transparency in remediation processes. The findings also offer insights for public policy, supporting the formulation of long-term environmental governance mechanisms and regulatory updates aligned with the complexity of legacy mining liabilities in Brazil.