Le risque minier

• In mainland France, the last iron mine ceased operations in 1995. Uranium has not been extracted from the territory since 2001. Alsace potash mines closed in 2003 and coal mines in 2004. Currently exploited mines in France are few in number: one salt mine in Lorraine (Varangeville), six brine mines used for salt production in Lorraine, Ain, Drôme and Gard, three bauxite mines in Hérault (Villeveyrac, Pézènes-les-Mines and Carlencas), one fluorine mine in Ain (Corbonod) and one tin-tantalum and niobium mine in Allier.

• 64 oil and gas deposits are currently exploited in Île-de-France, Aquitaine and Alsace. These deposits produced 830,000 tonnes of oil in 2015, representing 1% of French consumption, and 160 million cubic metres of gas in 2015, representing 0.4% of French consumption. Mainland France also holds 27 underground storage facilities for gas, chemicals and hydrocarbons (see Underground gas and hydrocarbon storage). In French Guiana, approximately one hundred gold mines are legally exploited for a production of 1.8 tonnes in 2014. In New Caledonia, 215,000 tonnes of nickel were extracted in 2017 (68% more than in 2011).

• Definition: Mining operations are governed by the Mining Code. According to article L111-1 of the Mining Code, the legal mining regime applies to deposits contained within the earth or existing on the surface known to contain the following mineral or fossil substances: 1° Hydrocarbons and fossil fuels, excluding peat, whether in solid, liquid or gaseous form, graphite, diamond; 2° Sodium and potassium salts in solid form or dissolved, with the exception of those contained in salt waters used for therapeutic or recreational purposes; 3° Alum, sulphates other than alkaline-earth sulphates; 4° Bauxite, fluorine; 5° Iron, cobalt, nickel, chromium, manganese, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, tungsten, hafnium, rhenium; 6° Copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, germanium, tin, indium; 7° Cerium, scandium and other rare-earth elements; 8° Niobium, tantalum; 9° Mercury, silver, gold, platinum, platinum-group metals; 10° Helium, lithium, rubidium, caesium, radium, thorium, uranium and other radioactive elements; 11° Sulphur, selenium, tellurium; 12° Arsenic, antimony, bismuth; 13° Carbon dioxide, with the exception of gas naturally contained in waters that are or may be used for human consumption or therapeutic purposes; 14° Phosphates; 15° Beryllium, gallium, thallium.

• The health and environmental risks posed by closed former mines may include: dangerous gas emissions, pollution of water, air and soil, ground movements and flooding. Therefore, regulatory measures are taken to reduce these risks. Mining Hazard Prevention Plans (PPRM) make it possible to define areas exposed to risks as well as precautionary zones and the prevention, protection and safety measures that must be taken in these two types of zones. In France, 63 PPRMs are being drawn up or are in the process of being prepared. • In 1972 and again in 1996, mining subsidence occurred in the municipality of Auboué (Lorraine). In the neighbouring municipality of Moutiers, similar collapses occurred in 1941 and 1997. These events led to the destruction of entire districts in these municipalities as a safety measure. 180 families were evacuated and rehoused. The cost of compensation for these disasters was estimated at 15 million euros. • After the cessation of mining operations at a deposit, the operator must put in place surveillance and prevention measures when significant risks of ground subsidence or accumulation of dangerous gases are identified. When these measures are implemented, the State assumes responsibility for monitoring and preventing risks at these former mining sites. Safety measures include, in particular, filling cavities and galleries. Post-mining management is carried out by the DREAL, in collaboration with the BRGM, delegated project manager for post-mining works, and GEODERIS, public expert for post-mining risks. • In areas of highest risk to the population, the prefect may decide to implement a Mining Hazard Prevention Plan (PPRM), as provided for in article L174-5 of the new Mining Code. The mining hazards taken into account for the adoption of a PPRM include in particular the following: • ground movements • flooding • dangerous gas emissions • soil or water pollution • ionising radiation emissions • any other specific local hazard (example: instability of a mining waste stockpile). • The PPRM identifies risks and nuisances persisting long-term and incorporates safety measures planned by the operator when ceasing operations. The PPRM establishes planning regulations (land-use rules) and construction measures for building reinforcement, for example. It manages both existing and future construction. • Of the 63 mining hazard prevention plans drawn up or in the process of being prepared as of July 2018, 30% concern Meurthe-et-Moselle department, 11% Moselle and 11% Nord. One plan often covers several municipalities. In 2018, 218 municipalities are covered by a PPRM. 138 municipalities have an approved PPRM and for 80 municipalities, the procedure has begun (PPRM prescribed). • The major subsidence that occurred in Auboué and Moutiers also led to the law of 30 March 1999 known as the post-mining law, codified. This law requires the State to assume responsibility for problems posed by the cessation of mining operations, in the name of national solidarity, in particular when the operator has ceased to exist and work must be carried out to maintain mining site safety. For this, the cessation of work and the waiver of mining concessions must have occurred more than 10 years earlier.

• Closed mining waste management facilities (residues and overburden from mining activities) that may pose a serious threat to the environment or human health must be inventoried and made available to the public according to article 20 of Directive 2006/21/EC of 15 March 2006 on the management of waste from the extractive industries. In 2017, 28 sites are listed: 23 concern metallic mining waste, 3 coal waste, one site contains uranium waste and one site contains asbestos waste. Facilities presenting the greatest risks to the environment or health are subject to in-depth assessment and particular surveillance to prevent any major accident involving these facilities and to limit their impact on the environment and human health.