A Conceptual Study on the Rehabilitation of the Lignite Mining Area South of Leipzig

Abstract

One of Europes most productive lignite reservoirs is located near the city of Leipzig in East Germany. In 1985, for example, an annual production of 60 million tons of lignite had been achieved. However, when the wall came down in 1989 the production of lignite significantly decreased and mining in most of the open pits was essentially stopped. Large areas of land close to Leipzig were totally devastated, and it was not clear at all if and how these areas could be rehabilitated, how expensive it would be and, eventually, who would pay for it. This paper describes results of a study performed in 1992 to investigate the chances for a reasonable restoration of the region. We will focus on problems related to water resources; however, the major environmental problems associated to open pit mining in the Leipzig region as well as the most important restoration goals shall be presented as well. Furthermore, some issues shall be covered related to the complicated political and economical situation in these days. Finally, the ideas proposed in 1992 shall be compared with the situation today; it will be shown that parts of the original plans had to be changed due to the political and economical circumstances.