Sustainable follow-up use of recultivated surfaces Evaluation of residual lakes and high dumps in the Rhenish lignite-mining area after the end of mining supervision

摘要

The rehabilitation of the former operating surfaces of the opencast lignite pits in the Rhenish mining area has traditionally attracted great attention. A closely graduated hierarchy of approval procedures and the associated implementation guidelines of the supervisory authorities ensure that, even before initial mine development, the various extraction projects are thoroughly studied, planned and regulated all the way to rehabilitation. Hence, all , phases of opencast-mine operations are already aligned toward sustainable and safe recultivation alongside the function of raw-material extraction. This recultivation is closely monitored by the mining-supervision authority and - in line with changes in underlying social, ecological and technical conditions - is adapted as needs require. This also includes a continuous response to the latest rules governing recultivation and soil stability to ensure sustainable rehabilitation at a high ecological, technical and safety level by way of regular updates.