ISSN:
1572-9893
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geography
Notes:
Abstract The production of lignite required for the GDR's national economy calls for the shifting of more than a thousand million cubic metres of overburden and the raising of about 1.5 thousand million m3 of ground-water. The ecological and infrastructural consequences are drastic, particularly in the Bezirke of Cottbus, Leipzig and Halle, where most lignite mines are situated. Planned reclamation of exhausted mining areas has so far permitted more than 50,000 ha in the GDR to be returned to agricultural and forestry use. Several attractive recreational areas have been developed by making use of exhausted workings that have been flooded. An outline is given of the legislation governing the responsibilities of the mining enterprises for the reclamation of devastated regions. The work to be done by the agricultural, forestry and water management enterprises to which the reclaimed areas are handed over for final recultivation is described, and the landscape management by which such former open cast mines can be converted into valuable amenities and economically viable regions are discussed in some detail.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00155613
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