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BEI | EIB
Luxembourg, 31 August 1994
CT/94-PAR/sf
P. Ratcliffe (PR)
CT group 4
Consultant
Note to H Gebhardt
Project
Report on the potential of the lignite mines of ex Eastern Germany for the production of
electricity in conventional power plants
Ref
Environmental aspects
I have updated the report on lignite in Germany with an addendum on Mibrag, and I have put more
emphasis in the conclusions, on the problems that may be encountered in the future, regarding public acceptance
of such huge surface mines.
There are three major subjects of concern which the bank may wish to better understand, namely the
following:
a.
Water table drainage by past, present and future mining operations; water treatment (for silt and
solids extraction and neutralisation of chemicals) and effects of this on the water resources of the
region, downstream of the drainage system and for the population.
b.
Land appropriation for mining i.e. the procedures required to appropriate land, relocate villages and
townships, compensate people and communities for housing and rural properties, relocate social
facilities and infrastructures etc. Cost and political acceptance of such procedures.
c.
Restoration of mined out areas to the local communities: planning and implementation of land
reclaimation, recultivation schemes, destination of the reclaimed areas (infrastructures, leisure parks,
housing and industrial buildings). Cost and effect of these measures on the long term profitability of
the mines i.e. the cost of lignite delivered to the power plants.
If required by the EIB, I would be very interested to undertake a more in-depth study of the effects of past,
present and future mining of lignite on the major environmental issues mentioned above. This could take place
either as an additional contract with Sofremines, with a small team and PR as project leader, or as a separate
contract without PR's involvement. The former would be preferred by Sofremines; PR would need to be assisted
by:
1.
a mining engineer (Sofremines, German speaking, Mr Eikelkamp)
2.
a hydro-geologist (ANTEA, BRGM)
3.
a soil mechanics specialist (ANTEA, BRGM)
PR and the mining engineer would work throughout the assignment; they would ensure all technical
relations with the EIB, and would produce the draft and the final reports. The hydro-geologist and the soil
mechanics specialist would provide services, specifically related to their respective disciplines.
page 2
The assignment would require two four day missions to the Laubag and Mibrag areas respectively for data
collecting interviews with mine managements of the "A mines" (2 days). In Laubag and Mibrag areas, interviews
would also be conducted with selected local communities , as well as with the land administration
(environmental) and greens (2 days). Specific technical data related to water drainage and soil mechanics would
be collected at this time. Treuhandanstalt in Berlin would also be visited (2 days) in order to discuss their plans
for the "sanierung program" of the Laubag and Mibrag "B mines". A detailed list of data to be prepared would be
handed over to Laubag, Mibrag and Treuhandanstalt, prior to the visits. During the visits it may appear necessary
to have some field measurements/tests undertaken to supplement the collection of data e.g. permeability/water
flow tests in some parts of previous or existing mines, or soil stability tests, etc. If such tests are required, they
would be specified and requested from the appropriate agencies viz. Laubag, Mibrag or Treuhandanstalt.
After the visits, a preliminary report would be prepared in Sofremines offices in Paris (2 weeks), to be
submitted and discussed with EIB during 2 days mission to Luxembourg.
Following this, to supplement and firm up the collection of data and the preliminary report analysis, a visit
would be made to Rheinbraun, where similar data would be collected and the team would visit local
communities, land administration (environmental) and representatives of the greens (4 days). In the meantime,
the results of the field tests requested at Laubag, Mibrag and Treuhandanstalt, would have become available.
The final report would then be prepared in Sofremines offices in Paris (2 weeks); it would encompass the
following main aspects:
1.
effects of mining on the main aspects considered, water table drainage, water treatment and pumping
back to the river system, land appropriation, relocation of displaced population, land restoration and
recultivation;
2.
quantification by measurement and other means, of these effects;
3.
remedial measures adopted or required to neutralise or diminish these effects;
4.
enforcing of remedial actions; controls and monitoring;
5.
cost of remedial actions and their impact on long term profitability;
6.
strategies and procedures to be applied to obtain acceptance of big mining schemes by the public.
A principle time schedule for this assignment is given overleaf. We are ready to give a cost proposal for this
assignment when required.
1
SOFREMINES
Montreuil, 16 septembre 1994
3766V/PRa
de P. Ratcliffe (PR)
à S. Eikelkamp Sofremines
et G. Krebs ANTEA
Note au dossier
Projet
: Mines de lignite de l'ex Allemagne de l'est
Référence
: Aspects environnement (resources en eau)
Dans le cadre de sa mission de consultant minier auprès de la BEI à Luxembourg, PR doit rédiger une note
préliminaire sur les aspects environnement des mines de lignite d'ex Allemagne de l'Est.
La BEI est saisie d'une demande de financement d'une mega centrale électrique de 1600 MW à
Schwarzepumpe. Cette centrale sera conçue pour le lignite du bassin de Basse Lusace, lequel est l'objet d'un plan
draconien de restructuration depuis 1990 (baisse de la production de 200 Mt/an à 50 Mt/an en l'an 2000).
L'alimentation de la centrale serait assurée par une ou deux grosses mines à ciel ouvert, la principale étant celle de
Welzow. Il s'agit aussi d'une mega mine (14-15Mt/an)
Dans le cadre de son évaluation du projet de cette mega centrale, la BEI se pose des questions en ce qui
concerne l'impact de la mine sur l'environnement, principalement les ressources en eau au plan régional.
PR doit rédiger une note préliminaire à usage interne de la BEI, montrant les différents aspects du problème.
Le but de la note est de permettre de poursuivre l'évaluation de la centrale, tandis que la BEI posera des conditions
au promoteur, notamment par l'exigence d'une étude d'impact. La BEI fera faire en parallèle sa propre étude des
aspects environnement de l'exploitation d'une grande mine à ciel ouvert. PR a reçu l'assurance que si cette étude est
faite, elle sera confiée à Sofremines. Cela se ferait en principe vers la fin de l'année en cours.
Afin que la note préliminaire mentionnée ci-dessus soit aussi pertinente et professionnelle que possible, je
vous adresse ci-joint (cf. Annexe), un ensemble de documents. Ils devraient vous permettre de bien comprendre le
contexte et le but de la note afin que vous m'aidiez à la valoriser au mieux.
Je vous propose de nous réunir pour échanger sur le sujet, mardi 27 septembre 1994 à Sofremines Montreuil à
partir de 10h00.
Merci et Salutations
P. Ratcliffe
2
Liste de documents
1. Draft de la note préliminaire à mettre au point en commun.
2. Liasse 1: Extraits de communications au Symposium de janvier 1994 à Berlin
organisé par la Treuhand sur le sujet des ressources en eau des régions productrices
de lignite d'ex Allemagne de l'Est.
3. Liasse 2: Articles de presse récents parus dans les média allemands;
4. Liasse 3: Note interne BEI du 9/9/94 sur le sujet traitement des eaux usées en ex
Allemagne de l'Est.
5. Liasse 4: Note interne BEI du 30/6/94 sur le projet Scwarzepumpe et le potentiel des
mines de lignite à fournir les quantités nécessaires.
BEI | EIB
Luxembourg, 16 September 1994
CT/94-PAR/sf
P. Ratcliffe
CT group 4
Consultant
Note to file:
Project:
Report on the potential of the lignite mines of ex Eastern Germany for the production of
electricity in conventional power plants
Reference:
Environmental aspects
The purpose of this note is to further clarify the environmental aspects highlighted in the conclusions of the
above mentioned report and to propose what to do in the immediate future. The reason for doing this at this stage
is the following:
−
since my last visit to MIBRAG and EIB, EIB has received a set of documents on the subject from
Treuhand i.e. the papers that were issued at three symposia on major environmental issues (mainly
water), organised in July and September 1992 and January 1994 by Treuhand.
−
The main concern today is with water resources in the brown coal mining regions of Lausitz and
Mitteldeutschland and this has been expressed in a number of recent articles by the German media.
It is certain that a mega power plant of 1600MW at Schwarzepumpe or Lippendorf will be designed for
lignite only and that the lignite will be supplied by nearby deposits i.e. in the case of Schwarzepumpe, the Lausitz
basin or perhaps its extension in nearby Poland, in the future. The mines that will supply lignite to such
mega power plants will also be mega open pit mines. Therefore in carrying out the technical and financial
viability evaluation of a mega power plant project, it is understandable that CT should have questions on the
supply and the environmental impact of such mega mines, particularly in view of the problems of water resources
and environmental clean-up (Sanierung) that the media are highlighting and which are being dealt with at
professional level, by the Treuhand and various environmental experts at government level and within Laubag
and Mibrag.
This being said, in my view, there are two aspects which must clearly be separated ; they are the following:
1.
the present dramatic situation of water resources in the region is due mainly to the past level of
mining
2.
a reduced level of mining will probably have a decreased impact on the environment and the water
region'
s water resources, but undesirable effects will still be there and they have to be clearly
understood.
page 2
1.
THE PRESENT DRAMATIC SITUATION OF WATER RESOURCES IN THE REGION IS DUE TO PAST
LEVEL OF MINING
The present dramatic situation of water resources in the region is due to the process of mining by numerous
open-pits some of which are very large in areal extension. But its amplitude is due to very high level of mining
(number of mines and production) in the past. Its urgency is due to the fact that many mines have been closed
since reunification and since then the problems have probably aggravated.
In the Lausitz basin the level of production was still 200Mt/annum in 1989 with more than 30 operating
mines. In the Mitteldeutschland basin the level of production was still 100Mt/annum in 1989 with more than 20
operating mines.
Operating mines had to pump large quantities of water (mainly surface water and some infiltration water)
from their operations, in order to remain dry; this water was pumped to the river system, thereby reducing the
feed of surface water to the phreatic nappe. It is said that the ground water level has sunk by 80m since 1900. The
combined effect of mine drainage of surface water, diminished accumulation of ground water, and probably also
reduced rainfall in the past 10 years, has led to a dramatic deficit of water in the whole region which is estimated
to be 13 billion m3.
The problem has been exacerbated by the fact that, after unification, it was decided on economic and free
market logic, that lignite mining of this amplitude (300Mt/annum) was not sustainable anymore in ex DDR.
Lignite mining and its uses for briquetting, gasification, electricity and heat generation were no more economical
at this high level. In view of competitive energy sources in the reunified Germany and of the evolution of primary
energy sources in Western Europe and Germany over the past 20 years, and also of the competition of West
German lignite deposits of the Rhine valley, it was even questioned whether the East German lignite mines
shouldn'
t be closed completely. The curtailement of output and the necessary restructuring of the lignite based
industry, was deemed long overdue in ex DDR. With reunification, the problem had become intolerable and
restructuring was inevitable.
Therefore it was decided to reduce lignite production dramatically. But to alleviate social and political
problems of closing down all mines at once, it was decided to privatise those that could still be run under
commercial enterprises and a privatisation scheme was attempted under Treuhand.
This has led to the privatisation of a core of lignite mines in the Mitteldeutschland basin, to an
Anglo American consortium, on the condition however that a mega power plant at Lippendorf is constructed and
put into service by 1998 latest. A similar procedure is about to succeed in the Lausitz basin with
RWE/Rheinbraun, but it will also probably be on the condition that a mega power plant at Schwarzepumpe is
constructed and put into service. The core mines are designated as A mines i.e. mines that can be competitive
with other primary energy sources in an integrated mining and power generation technological route. However, if
mega power plants at Lippendorf and Schwarzepumpe are not built and put on stream by the end of the century, it
page 3
is likely that the private enterprises will want to return the A mines to the Treuhand with compensation. We were
informed that this is definitely a contractual clause for the Anglo American consortium at Mibrag.
All the other mines that were operating in 1989 will be closed and are designated as B mines. As of end of
1994, for those mines that were closed or will be closed by end 1995 latest, the decision came abruptly without
being able to prepare for the closure, a process which all mines have to do prior to winding up. If it had been
decided to close the mines more progressively, preparatory measures would have been taken e.g. increasing
back-filling and bringing reclaimed areas closer to the operating faces, thereby reducing the open-pit area. This
would have spread the problems encountered today, over a longer period (normally 3-5 years). Moreover, part of
the cost of closure would have been borne by commercial, albeit uneconomic, production of lignite. But the
economics of lignite production were against this option.
This being said, the clean-up (Sanierungsprogram) has to be effected and in particular the problem of the
water resources has to be addressed. Because of the political decision to close mines, and because of the
particular topography, geology and hydrogeology of this region, the problem of water is probably unique in the
world and in industrial history.
With the closure of mines, when pumping is stopped, water will fill up the pits and although this may reduce
the overall regional water deficit, it will create other difficult problems i.e. surface water pollution and acidity
build-up, because the water is in contact with sulphurous lignite seams, etc. There must therefore be a plan to
deal with the whole problem of water resources in the region. This requires to reduce the areas of the open pits by
filling up mined out areas, to scrap disused equipment and installations, to recultivate reclaimed land etc. The
total cost of the clean-up program for both Lausitz and Mittledeutschland regions and for the visible part of it
only, has been estimated by several expert teams. There is a large contrast in these estimations which lie between
31 BDM and 13 BDM. After confronting views, the technical, political and financial parties involved at Federal
and Land levels, agreed that 15 BDM will be spent during the next 10 years, an average of 1.5 BDM/year. These
15 BDM are apportioned and budgeted in the finance ministries of the Federal government (1 BDM/year) and the
respective Land governments (0.5 BDM/year), .
The major effort and cost will be to fill up mined out areas as this will involve moving large masses of
material over long distances. It has been estimated in some specific cases that this will represent more than 80%
of the total cost of the clean-up program. For the Lausitz basin mines only which affect the largest area
(2100 km2) of land, the estimates lie between 15.5 BDM and 7 BDM. If one considers the production that is
considered for the remaining (privatised) Laubag A mines, i.e. approx. 50 Mt/annum of lignite in year 2000, the
cost of the clean-up due to past mining operations, represents between 30 and 15 DM/t of lignite. Obviously and
without any calculation, considering the present cession price of lignite to VEAG of 27.5DM/t, on the basis of
which Schwarzepumpe has been found to be competitive, if the Laubag A mines had to bear the cost of the
clean-up, Schwarzepumpe would not be competitive vis à vis other primary energy sources. Obviously, one
cannot expect a commercial enterprise operating mines on a 50Mt/annum level, to bear the cost of past mining at
page 4
a level of 200 Mt/annum over more than 20 years. It is clearly for such a reason that the concept of A mines and
B mines has been adopted; the cost of the clean-up of the B mines being borne by the state.
However, the cost of the clean-up is probably greater than the visible part which has been estimated and
reduced to a minimum, considering the resources available within the overall cost of reunification. There are
certainly indirect costs which are either not accounted for, or difficult to estimate e.g. effects on water quality,
treatment of sewage and used waters etc.
Finally, in the Lausitz basin there is an aspect which must not be forgotten. It is that Lausitz is geologically
and hydrogeologically continuous with the Polish lignite deposits across the Neisse. Therefore, the effects of
lignite mining on the regional water resources cannot be considered within Eastern Germany alone.
2.
A REDUCED LEVEL OF MINING WILL PROBABLY HAVE A DECREASED IMPACT ON THE
ENVIRONMENT AND THE WATER REGION'S WATER RESOURCES, BUT UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS WILL STILL
BE THERE AND THEY HAVE TO BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD.
In evaluating a mega power plant at Schwarzepumpe for example, which would be supplied by one or two
mega open pit mines e.g. Welzow, one must be aware of the environmental aspects, in particular the effect of
such huge mines on the water resources.
If one could consider that the clean-up program that will take place for the B mines is a separate issue, both
financially and technically, i.e. from the viewpoint of the effect of mining on local and regional water resources,
one still has to be aware of the environmental issues of mining even in a reduced area at reduced level of output
overall (e.g. 50 Mt/annum instead of 200 Mt/annum).
This would require specific inputs from the promoter with a view to informing the Bank on the
environmental aspects. This should be done within the purview of the Bank'
s procedure on environmental issues
i.e. the standard EIA sheet as appended hereafter.
BEI | EIB
Luxembourg, 5 October 1994
CT/94-PAR/sf
P. Ratcliffe
CT group 4
Consultant
Note to file:
Project:
Report on the potential of the lignite mines of ex Eastern Germany for the production of
electricity in conventional power plants
Reference:
Environmental aspects, particulary water resources of the lignite mining regions.
The purpose of this note is to further clarify the environmental aspects highlighted in the
conclusions of the above mentioned report and to propose to the bank what to do in the immediate
future. The reason for doing this at this stage is the following:
−
EIB has received a set of documents on the subject from Treuhand i.e. papers that were
issued at three symposia on major environmental issues (mainly water), organised in July
and September 1992 and January 1994 by Treuhand.
−
The main concern today is with water resources in the lignite mining regions of Lausitz and
Mitteldeutschland and this has been expressed in a number of recent articles by the
German media.
It is certain that a mega power plant of 2X800 MW at Schwarzepumpe or Lippendorf will be
designed for lignite only and that the lignite will be supplied by nearby deposits i.e. in the case of
Schwarzepumpe, the Lausitz basin or perhaps its extension in nearby Poland, in the future.
It should be borne in mind that:
−
the two regions of Mitteldeutschland and Lausitz are highly industrialised areas since the
beginning of this century, with very high levels of production of lignite and associated
utilisations i.e. power and heat generation in obsolete and heavily polluting plants (gaseous
emissions CO2, NOx, etc. and dust), briquettes, coke, gas, chemicals, and other
miscellaneous industries.
−
the power plants planned at Schwarzepumpe and Lippendorf are destined not only to
produce additional electricity but they will replace obsolete and environmentally
unacceptable plants.
−
the size of openpit mning operations to supply such power plants will not be changed; there
were huge mines in the past by all standards and there will remain huge mines in the future;
because large factors of scale are required;
−
but many mines are now closed or will be closed in the near future; the level of lignite
production will decrease from about 200 Mt/a in the late 1980s to about 50 Mt/a in year
2000 in Lausitz area, and from 100 Mt/a to 20 Mt/a in Mitteldeutschland area.
In carrying out the technical and financial evaluation of a mega power plant project, it is legitimate
that CT should question the economics and reliability of lignite supply and the impact of such
page 2
mega mines on the environment. In particular, the problems of regional water resources and the
environmental clean-up (Sanierung) of closed mines, are critical issues that the media in Germany are
currrently highlighting. They are being dealt with at professional level, by Treuhand, Laubag and
Mibrag, and environmental experts at federal and länder government levels.
This being said, two aspects must clearly be separated ; they are the following:
1. the present dramatic situation of water resources in the region is due mainly to a very high
level of mining in the past;
2. a reduced level of mining will certainly have a decreased impact on the environment and
the region's water resources; if undesirable effects still remain; they have to be clearly
understood.
1.
THE PRESENT DRAMATIC SITUATION OF WATER RESOURCES IN THE REGION IS DUE TO PAST
LEVEL OF MINING
Background of the present situation
The present dramatic situation of water resources in the region is due to the process of mining by
large open-pits. Its amplitude is due to a very high level of mining in the past i.e. many large mines and
a high unit productions.
In the Lausitz basin, the level of production was still 200Mt/annum in 1989, with 16 operating
mines. In the Mitteldeutschland basin, the level of production was still 100Mt/annum in 1989, with 19
operating mines.
Operating mines had to pump large quantities of water to ensure safe and efficient operations.
The lignite deposits of Lausitz and Mitteldeutschland lie below the ground water table. In Lauzitz the
bottom of the openpits is between 70m and 110m. These openpits have to be pumped dry to allow for
efficient and safe mine operations. Of the total quantity of water pumped to maintain the pit dry, the
amount due to rainfall and infiltration into the pit is insignificant. About 95% is ground water pumped
from wells ahead of the mining face and 5% is pumped from the pit bottom itself. For indication, the
volume of water pumped is of the order of 5-8m3/t lignite, i.e. generally more than the amount of
overburden waste which has to be removed to uncover the lignite seams (4-6m3/t lignite).
The surface to be uncovered (Lausitz) is of the order of 10 ha par Mt of lignite. A mine producing
10Mt/annum therefore uncovers about 100 ha of land. And to produce 200 Mt/annum, 2 000 ha/annum
were uncovered. Due to the unit size of mines and to the number of mines, the aggregate production of
lignite in the region was very high indeeed; consequently water drainage, by drawing continuously on
ground water resources, has lowered the level of ground water. This has disconnected surface water
from ground water and the natural river and stream system has been seriously disturbed because the
surface river system is no more fed by ground water. Huge areas in the region (Lausitz 2100km2,
page 3
Mitteldeutschland 1100km2 as of 1993) now suffer such a dramatic lowering of the water table (it is
believed to have lowered by 80 m since 1900). From this, there results that the river system, upstream
of the mines has been dried up; downstream of the mines, because mine drainage is pumped back to
the rivers and streams, there is a glut of water which has led all consumers to behave as if water was
plentiful. It is certain that more water is drawn from ground resources than is received naturally. For
indication, if the region receives 500mm rainfall in average each year, this represents a total water
supply of 1600Mm3/annum, while mine drainage itself was more than 1200Mm3 in the late 80s. In
other words, the high level of surface mining and the necessary water drainage (300Mt/annum, and
1200Mm3/annum of water in the two basins), were incompatible with the available ground water
resources.
To remedy the situation, requires that the water table rises again to its pre-mining level and that
the natural connexion between surface and ground water be restored. This will take considerable time
because the amount of water required to rise the level of the water table and fill up the pits left open, is
enormous. For example, this water requirement is estimated to be 13 billion m3 in Lausitz region. To
illustrate the magnitude of the problem, Dr Schroder of Treuhand estimates that to restore the water
table of the Lausitz region to its pre-mining level, the Rhine river with its flowrate near Bonn, should
discharge its waters continuously for 65 days into Lausitz basin. Similarly, the amount of water required
in Mitteldeutschland basin is 8 billion m3.
It has been estimated that the restoration of pre-mining conditions would require 30-40 years.
However, at present there is a lack of basic information, due to the unreliability of hydrological data in
ex-DDR. Hydrological surveys are reportedly underway to obtain more recent and reliable data on the
basin's water balance, as well as consumers' quantity and quality requirements of water taken and sent
back to the system.
In the long term, water consumption will have to match supply and for this it is probable that
drastic savings by all consumers will have to be accepted. In the meantime, water shortages and some
form of rationing may happen. Conservation measures are likely to be necessary; they should be
devised and enforced in a consensus reaching organisation of syndicat type (Wasser Verband).
Situation after Germn unification
After unification in 1989, it was decided on the basis of economic and free market logic, that lignite
mining of this amplitude (300Mt/annum) was not sustainable anymore in ex DDR. Lignite mining and its
uses for briquetting, coke, gasification, chemicals, electricity and heat generation, etc., were no more
economical at this high level of production. In view of competitive energy sources in the reunified
Germany and of the evolution of primary energy sources in Western Europe and Germany over the
past 20 years,
it was even questioned whether the East German lignite mines shouldn't be closed completely.
page 4
Moreover, it was probably realised that huge openpit mines were detrimental to the environment in
terms of land occupancy and to drainage of ground water resources.
The curtailement of output and the necessary restructuring of the lignite based industry in
ex DDR, was deemed long overdue. With reunification, the problems had become intolerable and
restructuring of the whole sector of lignite mining and utilisation had become inevitable. Therefore it
was decided to reduce lignite production dramatically. But to alleviate social and political problems of
closing down all mines at once, it was decided to privatise those that might still be run as commercial
enterprises; therefore, a privatisation policy was attempted under Treuhand. Moreover, the
continuation of mining at some reduced and acceptable level was deemed necessary in order to supply
water to the big towns and ecosystems situated downstream of the mines e.g. Berlin, Spreewald,
Leipzig, Halle. Indeed because of the total disconnection of surface and ground water due to mine
drainage, if mining was stopped altogether as well as pumping, acute water shortages were likely to
occur in the region, particularly in the dry summer periods. Finally, if all mining was stoppped, then the
cost of the necessary "clean-up" and rehabilitation of closed mine sites would have to be borne entirely
by the German taxpayer.
These considerations led to the privatisation of a core of lignite mines in the two basins. THe first
schem succeeded in Mitteldeutschland. A core of three mines were sold to an Anglo American
consortium. However, there is a medium term condition that a mega power plant is constructed at
Lippendorf and put into service by 1998 latest. The plant should replace several obsolete power plants
of thesame capacity. The second scheme is about to succeed in the Lausitz basin with
RWE/Rheinbraun, but it will probably also be on condition that a mega power plant is constructed at
Schwarzepumpe and put into service. The core mines are designated as A mines and the powerplant
condition means that can be competitive with other primary energy sources, only in an integrated
mining and power generation scheme and because present plants are obsolete technically and
environmentally, new plants are necssary to assure long erm profitability. If such mega power plants at
Lippendorf and Schwarzepumpe are not built and put on stream by the end of the century, it is likely
that the private enterprises will want to return the A mines to the Treuhand with some form of
compensation. We were informed that this is definitely a contractual clause for the Anglo American
consortium at Mibrag.
All the other mines that were operating in 1989 will be closed and are designated as B mines.
As of end of 1994, for those mines that were closed or will be closed by end 1995 latest, the
decision came abruptly without being able to prepare for the closure, a process which all mines should
undertake prior to winding up. If it had been decided to close the mines more progressively in time,
preparatory measures could have been taken e.g. grading slopes by increased back-filling and bringing
reclaimed areas closer to the operating faces, thereby reducing the open-pit area. This would have
spread the problems of clean-up, over a longer period (3-5 years are normally required). Moreover, a
page 5
larger part of the cost of mine closures could have been borne by commercial, albeit un-economic,
production of lignite. But politics and economics of lignite production were against this option.
Evolution and future
This being said, the clean-up of closed mines (Sanierungsprogram) has to be carried out and in
particular solutions to the problem of water resources in the basins have to be found.
Because of the political decision to close mines swiftly, and because of the particular topography,
geology and hydrology of these regions, the problem of water is probably unique in the world and in
industrial history. The complexity of these problems has been recognized by mine operators,
hydrologists, ecologists as well as federal and länder authorities. The Treuhandanstalt organised
meetings with all parties concerned and the federal environment minister partipated. The papers read
at these symposia show the complexity of the problems and they suggest solutions which, in our
opinion, are rational.
With the closure of mines, when pumping is stopped, water will slowly fill up the pits creating
artificial lakes and the level of the water table will rise again and eventually reach a point where it will
again be in balance with surface waters (cf. figures 1 and 2):
Present situation
disconnexion of surface and ground water
precipitations
precipitations
main stream
infiltration
infiltration
lowering of water table
(80m since 1900)
infiltration to ground water
page 6
Pre mining situation
to be restored at medium and long term
precipitations
precipitations
main stream
rise of the water table
until balance with surface water is achieved
With the filling of mined out areas, it will be possible to pump water to alleviate the shortage of
water in the transitional period of reconstitution of ground water resources. Although this may reduce
the overall regional water deficit, it will create other problems i.e. pollution and acidity build-up because
of contact with sulphurous lignite seams, iron oxydes, and other noxious elements. There must
therefore be a plan to deal with the whole problem of water resources in the region. This requires to
rehabilitate open pits by stabilizing mined out areas, scrapping disused equipment and installations,
recultivating reclaimed land etc.
More details are given in the technical Annexe (in French) to this note.
Cost of the clean-up programme
The total cost of the clean-up program for both Lausitz and Mittledeutschland regions and for the
visible part of it only, has been estimated by at least two expert teams. There is a marked contrast in
these estimations which vary between as much as 31 billion DM and 13 billion DM. After confronting
views, the technical, political and financial parties involved at Federal and Länder levels, agreed that
15 BDM will be spent during the next 10 years, i.e. an average of 1.5 BDM/year. These 15 billion DM
are apportioned and budgeted in the finance ministries of the federal (1 BDM/year) and respective
länder governments (0.5 BDM/year).
The major effort and cost will be to stabilize slopes in the mined out areas as this will involve
moving large masses of material over long distances. It is estimated in specific mines for, which
detailed projects have been studied that slope stabilization would account for more than 80% of the
total cost of clean-up. For the Lausitz basin only where the largest area (2100 km2) of land is affected,
the total cost estimate varies between as much as 15.5 billion DM and 7 billion DM. If one considers
the production that is considered for the remaining (privatised) Laubag A mines, i.e. approx.
50 Mt/annum of lignite in year 2000, the cost of the clean-up due to past mining operations, represents
between 15 DM/t and 30 DM/t of lignite. Obviously, without any calculation, considering the present
page 7
cession price of lignite to VEAG of 27.5 DM/t 1, on the basis of which Schwarzepumpe has been found
to be competitive with other fuels, if Laubag A mines have to bear the cost of the clean-up,
Schwarzepumpe would not be competitive vis à vis other fuels. Obviously, one cannot expect a
commercial enterprise operating mines on a 50 Mt/annum level, to bear the cost of past mining at a
level of 200 Mt/annum over more than 10 years. It is clearly for such a reason that the concept of
B mines has been adopted; the cost of the clean-up of B mines is to be borne by the state. But this
may be considered by certain as subsidizing.
The cost of the clean-up is very difficult to estimate because of the lack of quantitative data and
also because there are probably many invisible and unaccounted aspects, e.g. effects on water quality,
treatment of sewage and used waters etc.
Finally, the Lausitz basin is geologically and hydrologically continuous with Polish lignite basin
across the river Neisse. Therefore, the effects of lignite mining on the regional water resources cannot
be considered within Lausitz region alone.
2.
A REDUCED LEVEL OF MINING WILL PROBABLY HAVE A DECREASED IMPACT ON THE
ENVIRONMENT AND THE WATER REGION'S WATER RESOURCES, BUT IF UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS STILL
REMAIN THEY HAVE TO BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD.
In evaluating a mega power plant at Schwarzepumpe for example, which would be supplied by
one or two mega open pit mines e.g. Welzow, one must be aware of the environmental aspects, in
particular the effect of such huge mines on the water resources.
If one considers that the clean-up program that will take place for the B mines, is a separate
issue, both financially and technically, i.e. from the viewpoint of the effect of mining on local and
regional water resources, one still has to be aware of the environmental issues of mining even in a
reduced area and at a reduced aggregate level of output (e.g. in Lausitz 50 Mt/annum instead of
200 Mt/annum).
A major aspect in this is that operating mines will continue to pump large quantities of ground
water to remain dry and ensure efficient and safe operations. In doing this, they will contribute to the
water supply of the region as long as surface and ground water will remain disconnected. Moreover, it
will be necessary that operating mines pump more than is strictly required for their efficient and safe
operation. This will be the case during the critical period when water resources are likely to be scarcer
1
and this price includes about 10% tax to support the ailing German hard coal industry.
page 8
than before, due to the closure and decrease of mine drainage in closed mines. At the same time,
because of the reduced level of mining, the overall drawing of ground water resources will be much
lower. Therefore, it is expected that ground water resources will gradually replenish.
Detailed studies and field tests are reportedly being conducted to generate appropriate data for
this. The bank should therefore encourage the execution of such studies and tests. The most urgent
requirement is to establish a water balance of the Lausitz basin, a users of water with quantities
required , quality of water drawn and of water sent back to the system. The figure overleaf shows a
principle of the water balance that is needed.
page 9
Principle water balance of a hydrological basin
SOFREMINES
Montreuil, le 5 octobre 1994
P. Ratcliffe
à Heiko Gebhardt BEI
Projet
Référence
en eau.
Rapport sur le potentiel des mines de lignite d'
ex RDA
Aspects environnement en relation avec les problèmes de ressources
Memorandum d'
étude de MM Ratcliffe, Krebs (ANTEA) and
Eickelkamp.
A.
HISTORIQUE JUSQU'EN 1992
1.
La situation dramatique de la région des bassins de lignite de Lausitz et de
Mitteldeutschland en ce qui concerne les ressources en eau est due:
♦
Au niveau d'
exploitation trop élevé du lignite dans le passé. En 1989, on
exploitait encore 200 Mt dans le bassin de Lausitz et 100 Mt dans le bassin de
Mitteldeutschland.
♦
Au grand nombre de mines ouvertes. En 1989 il y avait plus de 30
établissements industriels (usines de briquettage, centrales, usines à gaz,
usines chimiques, etc.) dont 16 mines en activité à Lausitz, et plus de 20
établissements dont 19 mines en activité dans le Mitteldeutschland 1.
♦
A la grande profondeur de l'
exploitation, le fond des fosses des mines à ciel
ouvert étant sous le niveau de la nappe souterraine. La profondeur des mines
varie de 70 à 110 m dans le bassin de Lausitz.
♦
Au volume des stériles à enlever pour découvrir les couches de lignite et du
pompage de l'
eau nécessaire pour maintenir l'
exploitation au sec et assurer des
conditions d'
exploitation correctes. Dans le bassin de Lausitz, le ratio stériles
est de l'
ordre de 5m3/t de lignite et l'
exhaure nécessaire est de 5-8m3 d'
eau/t
de lignite.
2.
La production de lignite avait commencé durant les 18ème et 19ème
siècles; mais elle a surtout augmenté depuis le début de ce siècle; et la croissance du
tonnage extrait s'
est accélérée après la 2ème guerre mondiale (1956); elle a atteint le
niveau le plus élevé de 300Mt (dont 200 MT à Lausitz), au milieu des années 80.
3.
La figure 1 montre l'
évolution de la production de lignite en Mt/an et de
l'
exhaure des mines en Mm3/an, depuis le début du siècle, pour les deux bassins.
1
Nous ne disposons de données spécifiques que pour le bassin de Lausitz.
page 2
Figure 1: évolution de la production du lignite et de l'
exhaure totale
dans les bassins de Lausitz et de Mitteldeutschland depuis le début du siècle
1 400
1 200
Prévision à partir 1994
1 000
M m3 d'exhaure
800
600
400
Mt lignite
M m3 d'exhaure
2016
2020
2008
2012
2000
2004
1992
1996
1988
1980
1984
1972
1976
1964
1968
1956
1960
1948
1952
1940
1944
1932
1936
1924
1928
1916
1920
1908
1912
1900
0
1904
200
Mt lignite
4.
A l'
exhaure des mines qui est un prélèvement d'
eau dans la nappe
souterraine, correspond un abaissement de celle-ci dans la mesure où le prélèvement
est supérieur à l'
alimentation naturelle. Tel est le cas puisqu'
on estime que le niveau
de la nappe souterraine a baissé d'
environ 80m depuis le début du siècle.
5.
Les conséquences sur l'
hydrogéologie sont les suivantes (cf. figure 2):
Figure 2: système actuel de relation entre nappe souterraine et les eaux de surface
Situation actuelle
déconnection des eaux de surface et de la nappe souterraine
precipitations
precipitations
cours d'
eau principal
infiltrations
infiltrations
abaissement du niveau de la
nappe phréatique
(80m depuis le début du siècle)
pertes par infiltrations vers la nappe souterraine
6.
Par suite de l'
abaissement du niveau de la nappe par l'
exhaure des mines,
les rivières situées à proximité des exploitations sont déconnectées du niveau de la
nappe, elles se sont donc assèchées.Sur l'
ensemble de la région affectée par les
exploitations minières, on a un vaste entonnoir, dont la surface en 1993 était de
page 3
2100 km2 à Lausitz et de 1100 km2 dans le Mitteldeutschland. Cet entonnoir collecte
les eaux superficielles et profondes et les mines y prélèvent en permanence l'
eau pour
permettre d'
exploiter au sec et d'
assurer la sécurité des exploitations, c'
est à dire la
stabilité géotechnique des excavations. A titre indicatif, s'
il tombe 500mm d'
eau par an
sur l'
ensemble des deux bassins, cela représente au total 1600 Mm3/an, alors qu'
on a
pompé plus de 1200 Mm3/an des mines dans les années 80. On a donc bien prélevé
l'
eau de la nappe souterraine de manière excessive.
7.
L'
exhaure des mines est rejetée dans les rivières. Elle contribue donc à
alimenter les cours d'
eau en aval des exploitations, de manière surabondante par
rapport aux conditions naturelles, notamment en période d'
étiage. Il en résulte une
augmentation artificielle des ressources d'
eau disponibles en surface. Dans la mesure
où le débit d'
exhaure des mines dépasse largement le débit d'
étiage des cours d'
eau,
cette surabondance de l'
eau par rapport aux conditions naturelles d'
alimentation, a
encouragé tous les consommateurs (particuliers, industriels, collectivités locales) à ne
pas gérer les ressources en eau de manière économe. En effet, le prélèvement d'
eau
d'
un bassin par l'
ensemble des consommateurs, est normalement limité par les débits
d'
étiage des cours d'
eau. Un des objectifs des études en cours sur le bilan
hydrologique, est de mieux quantifier tous ces aspects.
8.
Depuis 1989, date de la réunification, un changement total d'
orientation a
été décidé pour des raisons politiques, économiques et probablement aussi
écologiques. La restructuration du secteur de production de lignite, longtemps différé
par les autorités d'
ex-RDA a commencé, avec des fermetures de mines, baisse de la
production et des effectifs de personnel.
9.
La figure 3 montre l'
évolution prévue jusqu'
en l'
an 2000, dans le bassin de
Lausitz, de la production de lignite en Mt/an, de stériles en Mm3/an et de l'
exhaure
des mines en Mm3/an. Parallèlement, il est prévu que le personnel passera de plus de
50 000 personnes à moins de 8 000 personnes.
Figure 3: évolution des paramètres de la production de lignite
dans le bassin de Lausitz depuis 1989
page 4
Mm3 OB
and water
Mt lignite
300
1 400
250
1 200
1 000
200
800
150
600
100
400
50
200
0
0
1989
1990
1991
lignite Mt
1992
1993
OB Mm3
1994
2000
water Mm3
10.
On peut affirmer que le niveau de production le plus élevé de 300Mt/an
atteint en 1988 et l'
exhaure de 1200Mm3 d'
eau, n'
étaient pas compatibles avec le
respect de l'
espace du point de vue écologique (surface découverte) ni avec
l'
alimentation naturelle des eaux de surface et souterraines.
B. EVOLUTION ET ETAT FUTUR
11.
Avec l'
arrêt de nombreuses mines et la baisse du niveau de production, les
besoins d'
exhaure des mines diminueront de manière importante (voir figure 2 déjà
citée dans le cas de Lausitz).
12.
Mais, tant qu'
une relation hydraulique naturelle c'
est à dire équilibrée, entre
la nappe, les eaux de surface et les cours d'
eau, ne sera pas rétablie (cf figure 4), une
situation dans laquelle tous les consommateurs et les écosystèmes situés en aval des
mines (Berlin, Spreewald, Leipzig, Halle) risqueront de graves pénuries d'
eau. La
figure 4 montre une situation d'
équilibre entre nappe souterraine et les eaux de
surface.
Figure 4: système équilibré de relation
entre la nappe souterraine et les eaux de surface
Situation avant l'
exploitation minière
à rétablir à moyen et long termes
precipitations
precipitations
cours d'
eau principal
relèvement du niveau de la nappe
jusqu'
à l'
équilibre avec les eaux de surface
page 5
13.
Mais lorsque l'
équilibre hydrologique sera rétabli, et ce sera à plus ou moins
long terme (plusieurs décennies), il faudra que la consommation globale corresponde
aux ressources du bassin, c'
est à dire aux conditions naturelles de son alimentation.
Cela veut dire qu'
à court terme, tous les consommateurs d'
eau doivent être incités
activement à une meilleure gestion de l'
eau. La situation de pénurie qui se substituera
à une abondance artificielle va nécessairement imposer des économies d'
eau.
C. MESURES PRECONISEES POUR RETABLIR L'EQUILIBRE HYDROLOGIQUE
14.
Rétablir le régime d'
équilibre des eaux de surface et de la nappe
souterraine à long terme.
♦
Compte tenu de l'
importance de la dépression et de la faiblesse des apports
naturels du bassin (sans apports extérieurs), une période transitoire de 30-40
ans est jugée nécessaire pour rétablir cet équilibre. En effet, compte tenu du
volume des anciennes mines à remplir d'
eau et du relèvement de la nappe, le
volume total d'
eau nécessaire est estimé à 21 milliards de m3 (12 milliards à
Lausitz).
♦
Cette période sera critique du point de vue de la satisfaction des besoins en
eau de toute la région. Pour accélérer la remontée de la nappe et raccourcir la
période critique, on étudie même la possibilité d'
effectuer des apports extérieurs
en provenance de bassins hydrographiques contigus (Neisse, Elbe). Mais la
faisabilité technique et économique de tels projets n'
est pas encore démontrée.
15.
Pour atténuer les problèmes d'
approvisionnement en eau pendant la
période critique transitoire, les mesures suivantes sont envisagées ou déjà en cours
de réalisation:
♦
Prélèvement des eaux de certaines rivières principales du bassin, pendant les
périodes de crue (Spree, Schwarze Elster) et injection de ces eaux dans les
excavations des anciennes mines pour constituer des stocks ou réservoirs
tampons. Ces stocks seront ensuite réinjectés dans les rivières pour assurer les
besoins en eau en période d'
étiage.
♦
Continuer à injecter les débits d'
exhaure, des mines en exploitation et de
certaines des mines qui sont ou seront arrêtées, dans les rivières et dans les
réservoirs tampons. Cela implique, pour les mines en exploitation, de pomper
plus que ce qui est strictement nécessaire du point de vue de l'
efficacité
technique et de la sécurité. Pour les mines arrêtées, cela implique d'
aménager
les trous excavés en lacs réservoirs, c'
est à dire de stabiliser les talus par des
travaux de terrassement et/ou des apports de matières, de remettre en culture,
et d'
installer les équipements et réseaux de pompage nécessaires ainsi que
leurs liaisons éventuelles.
♦
Inciter activement tous les consommateurs à économiser l'
eau et à changer
leurs habitudes passées face à une surabondance artificielle en eau.
♦
Maîtriser la qualité des eaux prélevées à l'
intérieur ou à l'
extérieur du bassin et
des eaux stockées dans les lacs réservoirs (oxydes de fer, métaux lourds,
chlorures, sulfates, degré hydrotimétrique, degré alcalimétrique, demande
chimique en oxygène, etc.), de façon à ce qu'
elle soit conforme aux besoins
actuels et futurs des consommateurs et aux réglementations des länder.
page 6
16.
Coordonner l'
ensemble des mesures de réhabilitation, au sein d'
organismes
uniques du type syndicat des eaux, par exemple "Emscher Verband en Ruhr", ou
"Erft Verband en Rhénanie". Ces syndicats doivent grouper toutes les parties
concernées par la gestion de l'
eau: ministères des länder et du gouvernement fédéral,
le service des mines, les exploitants, les communes et collectivités locales, les
organismes de production et de traitement d'
eau et les diverses associations.
♦
Cette coordination doit couvrir tous les projets, les prises de décisions et surtout
les mesures de suivi et de contrôle.
♦
Elle s'
appuie sur l'
interprétation des mesures réalisées dans le cadre des
diverses études en cours et à venir, lesquelles se concrétiseront par
l'
établissement de bilans prévisionnels du nouveau régime des eaux, tenant
compte de l'
activité minière future.
♦
Elle devra approuver par consensus tout projet qui lui sera soumis dans le
cadre de son fonctionnement.
page 7
D. INSERTION DU PROJET DE LA CENTRALE 2X800MW DE SCHWARZEPUMPE ET DE LA MINE
DE WELZOW DANS LE CADRE GENERAL DE LA REHABILITATION REGIONALE
16.
Le projet de de la centrale 2X800MW de Schwarzepumpe et de la mine qui
l'
alimenterait en lignite (Welzow), s'
inscrit dans le cadre d'
une production de lignite à
Lausitz, en baisse de 200 Mt en 1989 à environ 50Mt/an en l'
an 2000. Un tel projet
aura donc globalement un impact bénéfique pour la satisfaction des besoins en eau,
du fait de la contribution de l'
exhaure de la mine vers les réseaux des eaux de surface,
notamment pendant la période critique transitoire. De plus, le coût de cette
contribution à la satisfaction des besoins en eau de la région, sera couvert par
l'
activité commerciale. Comme indiqué plus haut, la mine pourra être amenée à
pomper plus que le strict nécessaire du point de vue de la technique et de la sécurité,
pour contribuer aux besoins en eau de la région.
17.
Le niveau d'
extraction de 50Mt/an et l'
exhaure correspondante de
300-400 Mm3/an (6-8m3/t), perturberont moins l'
équilibre naturel entre les eaux
souterraines et les eaux de surface que lorsque l'
exploitation était au niveau de
200 Mt/an.
18.
On devra cependant chercher à réduire le plus possible, l'
impact de
l'
exploitation projetée sur l'
environnement et l'
hydrologie locaux, notamment en
étanchéifiant les cours d'
eau situés dans le périmètre affecté par l'
abaissement de la
nappe souterraine et à proximité immédiate de l'
exploitation.
19.
La législation en vigueur depuis la réunification, interdit la constitution de
décharges non contrôlées. On peut être assuré que de telles décharges, susceptibles
de polluer la nappe souterraine dans le périmètre de l'
exploitation minière, ne pourront
donc pas exister.
20.
De même, la réglementation minière oblige l'
exploitant à procéder en
continu à la réhabilitation des sites exploités et à leur réaménagement, en respectant
une proportion imposée de terres à destination agricole ou forestière. Cette
réhabilitation des sites exploités doit être conforme à un plan approuvé par les
autorités compétentes et dans le cadre du syndicat des eaux. Cette mesure réduit
l'
effet négatif sur le paysage, et diminue la pollution de l'
environnement par la
poussière. L'
exploitant doit couvrir le coût de ces plans de réhabilitation dans ses
comptes annuels d'
exploitation, et constituer des provisons adéquates pour les
mesures de fermeture ultime de la mine. On pourrait peut-être aussi envisager que les
mines en exploitation contribuent d'
une certaine manière à la réhabilitation de mines
arrêtées.
page 8
21.
Outre la restitution de zones exploitées à des usage agricole ou forestier
comme indiqué ci-dessus, il est possible par des techniques de compactage, de
ré-utiliser une partie des sols pour la construction de certains immeubles d'
habitation,
collectifs ou industriels. Toutefois ces utilisations nécessitent d'
effectuer des études
géotechniques complémentaires, cas par cas, afin de s'
assurer de la stabilité des
terrains. Cependant des techniques de construction plus coûteuses, adaptées aux
terrains hétérogènes, doivent être utilisées. En tout état de cause, l'
utilisation de tels
terrains sera toujours restrictive en ce qui concerne la destination des ouvrages
construits.
22.
Pour ce qui est de la centrale électrique, les effluents gazeux, liquides et
solides sont traités selon les technologies de pointe en la matière et en respectant la
réglementation allemande en vigueur, laquelle est plus contraignante que la
réglementation européene.
23.
Le tableau ci-dessous montre l'
évolution des rejets de la centrale selon les
prévisions de VEAG, faites en liaison avec le constructeur SIEMENS:
NOx
de 21.73 kt/an
à 8.38 kt/an
Poussières
de 99.50 kt/an
à 2.10 kt/an
SO2
de 190.80 kt/an
à 16.76 kt/an
CO2
de 16.28 Mt/an
à 11.19 Mt/an
23.
En ce qui concerne les besoins en eau, notamment pour le refroidissement,
ils seront assurés par le recyclage et la contribution de l'
exhaure de la mine soit
directement, soit par l'
intermédiaire du barrage Spremberg. Il s'
agit alors d'
un exemple
concret de ce qui est mentionné plus haut.
E. CONCLUSION
24.
La construction d'
une centrale thermique moderne à Schwarzepumpe pour
remplacer des centrales obsolètes en exploitation aujourd'
hui, aura un impact
bénéfique sur l'
environnement par diminution des effluents polluants.
25.
La mine associée, Welzow Sud, se trouve à proximité immédiate de la
centrale. Il en résulte que la pollution par transport d'
environ 14 Mt/an de lignite, sera
réduite au minimum.
26.
L'
appropriation du site, sa mise en exploitation par découverte, sa
réhabilitation continue durant l'
exploitation et sa restitution ultime se feront selon la
réglementation en vigueur, la mine produisant à tout moment et tenant à jour tous les
documents, plans et programmes, mesures etc.
page 9
27.
L'
exhaure de la mine contribuera à la satisfaction et à stabilisation des
besoins en eau de la région, et ce de manière économique, puisque les coûts de cette
exhaure en tant que contribution aux besoins totaux en eau, seront couverts par
l'
activité commerciale. Un contrôle permanent sera assuré par les autorités
compétentes et par le syndicat des eaux.
28.
Enfin, la mine pourrait contribuer d'
une certaine manière, à la réhabilitation
de mines arrêtées.
BEI | EIB
Luxembourg, 15 November 1994
CT/94-PAR/sf
P. Ratcliffe
Consultant
CT group 4
to H.Gebhardt
CT
Note to file:
Project
Reference
: Schwarze Pumpe
: EIA (Environmental impact assessement)
The Bank has just received feed-back information from the EEC Commission, on Schwarze Pumpe project. It
appears that some legal procedure has been initiated by a German NGO against mining operations in Lausitz area, on
the ground that such operations have been going on without an EIA having been made.
In view of the likelihood that this situation may delay the involvement of the Bank for the financing of
Schwarze Pumpe project, CT considers to propose that the Bank should undertake the missing EIA, in order to avoid
stalling of the project.
In this perspective, you have asked me to prepare brief terms of reference for this EIA study. It should encompass
the following.
1: Effects of the mining of lignite in large operations on the environment:
1.1: Identification, description and quantification of effects of mining on the environment:
The study shall first identify, evaluate and quantify, all the effects of mining on the environment, distinguishing
between direct and indirect effects. It shall comply with directive N°L 175/40 of 27th June 1985 of the EEC. The
effects shall be evaluated as negative or neutral.
direct effects
−
effects on the occupation of space,
−
effects on the appropriation of land
−
effects on the disruption of the landscape,
−
effects on the flora and fauna,
−
effects of mine drainage on ground water resources,
−
effects of mining on noise levels
−
effects of mining on dust level
−
effects of lignite transportation and handling
−
etc.
indirect effects
−
effects of mine drainage on local and regional water resources (Spree river, Spreewald, Neisse etc.),
−
effects on the socio economic structure of the region
−
effects on the local population (delocation of housing, agricultural land and industrial centers)
−
effects of mine drainage on water resources (drinking and industrial), of Greater Berlin area,
−
etc.
2
TOR_EIA.DOC
13/02/2005 7:03 PM
1.2: Description and evaluation of control technologies:
Then the study shall describe and evaluate the control technologies adopted, or proposed to be adopted, to
remedy, or to mitigate, the negative effects identified and quantified. This part of the study shall also address the
measures to be adopted when closing mines definitively.
Control technologies include monitoring systems.
1.3: Method of execution:
The study will start with a detailed Questionnaire to be prepared by EIB and filled in by the promoter. The
Questionnaire would then be studied and processed by the Consultant. A draft of the EIA will be prepared at this stage.
Visits to the mining area would then take place to validate the Questionnaire and the results of the Consultants
findings.A great number of organisations will have to consulted to fulfill this procedure of validation, data build-up and
consolidation.
2: Effects of power plant operations on the environment:
An EIA is already available with Laubag/VEAG. This report will be evaluated and incorporated in the complete
EIA prepared by the Bank.
3: Complete systems analysis of the effects of mining and power plant oiperation on the
environment:
A complete systems analysis of the environmental aspects of mining and power plant operations shall be
prepared, covering all mines of the region that supply lignite to the power plants. This systems analysis will also
examine transnational aspects (Poland, across the river Neisse).
ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMARY
FOR LIGNITE MINING ASPECTS
1
Short description: recaling of east German lignite mines for the production of electricity in modern conventional power
plants.
Baseline
Conditions
(if project
would not
proceed)
Impacts of project as proposed
Mitigating measures incl. in the project
Significance
Scope and effectiveness
Magnitude
Exceeding legal requirements
(low/high)
Commitment of promoter
( low/high)
Construction:
Location/Access: already existing mines
Scale: very large mines to supply 2X800MW power
H H
plants. Surface of land uncovered is 10ha/Mt of lignite.
2
Project
Implementation
Operation
Technology
drainage
Emissions
Residues
openpit mines with BWEs and conveyors
water drainage by pumping
from ground water
water drained from water table
dust
nil
Decommissioning
rehabilitation of land
recultivation
landscaping of final mined
out topography (lakes)
3
Complementary
information
H H
H H
L L
H H
H H
H H
Analysis of alternatives to project carried out
Method for identification of impacts+mitig. measures
Reaching of public consent (Wasser Verband)
Classification with respect to EC EIA-Directive 85/377
International agreements concerned
Internationally protected zones concerned
Environmental monitoring capability of promoter
Long distance and cross-border effects
Indirect effects-apart from direct ones-to be considered
no
EIA
yes
Annex I
yes
yes
good
yes
yes
Environmental risk classification of project
medium