Experience and Inspiration of Value Identification, Protection and Regeneration of Mining Heritage in Europe

Mining sites of coal, metals and non-metals are important components of modern industrial heritage. They are also main targets of current ecological restoration projects. Inappropriate restoration and governance methods can easily damage valuable mining industrial relics, posing challenges to the protection and regeneration of China’s mining heritage. This research systematically analyzes the European experience and practices in mining heritage value identification, protection and regeneration, and compares the legal basis in different countries in Europe, as well as the strategies for regional integration, multi-subject participation, adaptive revitalization and all-round publicity. It proposes that mining sites are characterized by natural and cultural heritage properties. The European experience gives three inspirations for the protection and regeneration of mining heritage in China. Firstly, evaluate the mining heritage values and identify key heritage resources in the mining areas; Secondly, improve the multi-level mining heritage protection and management system; Thirdly, strengthen the multi-departmental and cross-professional collaboration to promote the activation and utilization of mining heritage.