Initial situation

The Meuro opencast mine was opened up in 1960, and continued to be operated from 1965 as a bridge conveyor opencast mine, and was finally closed down in 1999. A total of 1,840 million m³ of spoil was removed, and 3,583 hectares devastated. The mine is between the cities of Senftenberg and Großraschen, and is the centrepiece of the IBA, the International Building Exhibition, (Fürst Pückler Land IBA). At the same time large areas are to be developed for nature conservation, while others are to be made available for economic use. The 771-hectare Ilse See Lake will also have to meet the needs of a wide range of users.

Approach

The rehabilitation plan and the final operational plan were adapted to meet the target requirements in a number of stages as they gradually became clearer. The movement of large quantities of soil formed the topographical basis for the planned uses. Recultivation work is being carried out on the basis of detailed plans of specific objects that have been drawn up by LMBV staff in collaboration with interest groups. It has proved to be possible to successfully combine objectives involving tourism amicably with the economic interests of those acquiring land.

Result

So far, altogether 2,260 hectares have been successfully recultivated, and 70 km of roads and main access routes built. There has been varied landscaping of 830 hectares to meet special nature conservation requirements, while 671 hectares have been afforested as economically viable near-natural woodland, and almost 760 ha fertile agricultural land have been created. A total of 650 hectares have been made available for nature conservation. IBA projects such as the IBA terraces, prospects, viewing mounds, and the harbour, have all been blended into the landscape.