Even if most French mines are definitively closed, potential risks remain above the abandoned sites. In addition to surface instability, some mining sites may be affected by dangerous gas emissions, flooding events, or environmental impacts. Those kinds of disorders strongly influence the land‐use management of the concerned areas. The present article presents the French mining historical context and identifies the major kinds of residual risks and harmful effects that may affect abandoned mine sites. The prevention policy applied on the national territory is then discussed and prospects for further developments are proposed.
LA - SN - 0272-4332 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.2009.01258.x ID - ref1 ER -