Definitive closure of Gyöngyösoroszi ore mine and full-scale recultivation of the area

Pollution causes

Because of the mining activity and inappropriate mud treatment at the Gyöngyösoroszi lead and zinc mine, the water of Toka Creek, the soil of Száraz Valley and the nearby water-storage basins were all polluted with heavy metals. Typical soil polluting agents in the area are arsenic, zinc and copper, while the main pollutants in the groundwater are manganese and zinc.

 

The recultivation project

The project goal is the excavation and removal of the sludge polluted with toxic metals, its transport to the hazardous waste disposal site, transport of the non-hazardous waste from the site to Száraz Valley mud pond, the recultivation of Toka Creek, the industrial water storage pond, the agricultural water storage pond and the sediment catcher. The next planned phase of the project is the recultivation of the Gyöngyös-Nagyréde water-storage reservoir.

 

Special project features

Public awareness. There are many people living in the close vicinity of the creek, and that requires very good cooperation between the contractor and local residents. 
The operation of water treatment facility as part of the Száraz Valley mud pond to purify the water collected from the pond and discharge it into freshwater flows. 
The project is implemented on an especially large area and over a long period of time.

 

Main project data

Closure of Gyöngyösoroszi and Mátraszentimre mining area: 7 km tunnels; approx. 80,000 m3 backfilling.

Recultivation of industrial water storage pond: 24,000 tons solid material and 25,000 m3 polluted material.

Recultivation of the sediment trap: 13,000 m3 polluted material and reconstruction of 70 linear metres of engineering structure.

Recultivation of agricultural water-storage pond: 70,000 m3 polluted material.

Remediation of Toka Creek: 60,000 m3 polluted material and reconstruction of 10,000 m riverbed.

Recultivation of the Száraz Valley flotation mud pond: 17 hectare area and connected water purification.

Recultivation of the Gyöngyös-Nagyréde water-storage reservoir: approx. 25,000 m3 polluted material.

 

Time period: from 2006 to 2017

Financing: Hungarian State support: 100%

Client: Nitrokémia Környezetvédelmi Zrt. (former: Mecsek-Öko Zrt.)

Total project value: approx. €74 million

 

Pollution causes

Because of the mining activity and inappropriate mud treatment at the Gyöngyösoroszi lead and zinc mine, the water of Toka Creek, the soil of Száraz Valley and the nearby water-storage basins were all polluted with heavy metals. Typical soil polluting agents in the area are arsenic, zinc and copper, while the main pollutants in the groundwater are manganese and zinc.

 

The recultivation project

The project goal is the excavation and removal of the sludge polluted with toxic metals, its transport to the hazardous waste disposal site, transport of the non-hazardous waste from the site to Száraz Valley mud pond, the recultivation of Toka Creek, the industrial water storage pond, the agricultural water storage pond and the sediment catcher. The next planned phase of the project is the recultivation of the Gyöngyös-Nagyréde water-storage reservoir.

 

Special project features

Public awareness. There are many people living in the close vicinity of the creek, and that requires very good cooperation between the contractor and local residents. 
The operation of water treatment facility as part of the Száraz Valley mud pond to purify the water collected from the pond and discharge it into freshwater flows.
The project is implemented on an especially large area and over a long period of time.

 

Main project data

Closure of Gyöngyösoroszi and Mátraszentimre mining area: 7 km tunnels; approx. 80,000 m3 backfilling.

Recultivation of industrial water storage pond: 24,000 tons solid material and 25,000 m3 polluted material.

Recultivation of the sediment trap: 13,000 m3 polluted material and reconstruction of 70 linear metres of engineering structure.

Recultivation of agricultural water-storage pond: 70,000 m3 polluted material.

Remediation of Toka Creek: 60,000 m3 polluted material and reconstruction of 10,000 m riverbed.

Recultivation of the Száraz Valley flotation mud pond: 17 hectare area and connected water purification.

Recultivation of the Gyöngyös-Nagyréde water-storage reservoir: approx. 25,000 m3 polluted material.

 

Time period: from 2006 to 2017

Financing: Hungarian State support: 100%

Client: Nitrokémia Környezetvédelmi Zrt. (former: Mecsek-Öko Zrt.)

Total project value: approx. €74 million