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To pump or not to pump: cost benefit analysis of future environmental management options for the abandoned Durham Coalfield

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Paul Younger

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Abstract

Deep mining activity has totally ceased in the Durham coalfield, and withdrawal of the regional dewatering scheme is being contemplated. Consequent groundwater rebound is expected to have severe and expensive environmental consequences, which could only be entirely avoided through indefinite pumping. However, continued pumping is expensive, at about pound 1 million/annum. The options of either abandoning or continuing pumping have differing time streams of future costs and, consequently, direct comparison of the expenditures involved is difficult. Both options are therefore analysed using economic evaluation criteria in order to determine the lowest cost alternative for the future. The overall outcome of the economic analysis, using both net present value and equivalent annual cost criteria, demonstrates that the option of continued pumping is less expensive than the option of abandoning pumping in all cases.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Younger PL, Harbourne KJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management

Year: 1995

Volume: 9

Issue: 4

Pages: 405-415

Print publication date: 01/08/1995

ISSN (print): 1747-6585

ISSN (electronic): 1747-6593

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-6593.1995.tb00958.x

DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-6593.1995.tb00958.x

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