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Bełchatów - Recultivation of open cast mining
Published on 15 December 2020
Poland
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The opencast method causes large changes in the natural environment. Reclamation works in the Bełchatów mine were planned already at the stage of overburden removal. In total, more than 2,200 ha were recultivated, including 1,500 ha of forestation and nearly 47 million trees and shrubs were planted.
The most spectacular effect of the reclamation activities is Góra Kamieńsk. It is the largest hill in central Poland, 395 m above sea level, formed from 1.4 billion m3 of overburden collected from the opencast, and is today a tourist attraction of the region. There is the longest ski slope in central Poland and 40 kilometres of cycling routes were prepared. A wind farm was built on the surface of the mountain (15 turbines of 2 MW each).
This practice is linked to project activity about environmental restoration and land reclamation in DeCarb regions. In the framework of the DeCarb project there was delivered a synthesise report of Partners territorial needs and search for solutions to:
(a) promote environmental restitution and landscape change in areas affected by coal operations, and
(b) restore land to its former or other productive use.
According to this practice, degraded areas were adapted to new functions and provided with RES.
The recipients of the practice are residents of the surrounding villages and tourists who come to use the recreation and sports facilities.
The most spectacular effect of the reclamation activities is Góra Kamieńsk. It is the largest hill in central Poland, 395 m above sea level, formed from 1.4 billion m3 of overburden collected from the opencast, and is today a tourist attraction of the region. There is the longest ski slope in central Poland and 40 kilometres of cycling routes were prepared. A wind farm was built on the surface of the mountain (15 turbines of 2 MW each).
This practice is linked to project activity about environmental restoration and land reclamation in DeCarb regions. In the framework of the DeCarb project there was delivered a synthesise report of Partners territorial needs and search for solutions to:
(a) promote environmental restitution and landscape change in areas affected by coal operations, and
(b) restore land to its former or other productive use.
According to this practice, degraded areas were adapted to new functions and provided with RES.
The recipients of the practice are residents of the surrounding villages and tourists who come to use the recreation and sports facilities.
Resources needed
The reclamation process requires human resources and a readiness to cooperate across administrative and sectoral borders. Financial provisions are required for the decommissioning of the effects of opencast activities, the amount of which will correspond to the real cost of decommissioning the mine.
Evidence of success
The reclamation of post-mining areas, on the one hand, compensates for the adverse effects of mining activities and, on the other, is the beginning of a new, often more attractive way of developing the land. An example is Góra Kamieñsk, which is one of the biggest tourist attractions of the region both in summer (a toboggan run, cycling routes) and in winter (a ski run). A 30 MW wind farm located on the top of the hill provides electricity to 6 thousand farms.
Potential for learning or transfer
The reclamation processes and the management of land transformed by mining activities, although they are long-lasting and require a great deal of organisational and financial effort, when properly carried out, have surprisingly beneficial effects. The land is given up for exploitation, whose biological and economic value is similar and sometimes much higher than the original one. The land given up acquires a new 'identity' and its use meets social needs and expectations. At the same time, it creates great opportunities to make the post-mining area (the entire region) attractive by creating supra-regional functions based on the transformations resulting from mining activities. Mount Kamieńsk is extremely valuable for the inhabitants of the surrounding areas, as it provides a place to rest, creates new jobs and increases the attractiveness of the local real estate market.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
The Bełchatów Brown Coal Mine (The Polish Power Group)
Poland
Contact
Marshal's Office of the Lodzkie Voivodship