REPORT

the

by

THINK TANK on

Sustainable Rehabilitation of Mines and Quarries (2008-2009)

with summaries in Greek and Turkish

Edited by Dr Artemis Yiordamli

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Funded with the generous support of

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1 Page no.

Contents

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1. Introduction

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2. The concept and terms of reference of the Think Tank

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3. Basic facts established from site visits carried out during 2008

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4. Some of the additional problems that came to the fore

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5. Revised remit of Think Tank

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6. When can a site be considered abandoned?/ Definition of an abandoned mine/quarry

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7. Parameters of sustainable rehabilitation

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8. Rehabilitation considerations 7 8.1 Health and safety considerations 7 8.2 Aesthetic considerations 8 8.3 Considerations of ecological sustainability 9 8.4 Economic viability 10 8.5 Alternative re-use 10 8.6 Local opinion and aspirations

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9. Is a mine ever really abandoned?

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10. Conclusions

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11. Recommended actions

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Συνοπτική Μετάφραση Έκθεσης στα Ελληνικά(Summary translation of Report in Greek)

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Raporun Ozet Çevirisi (Summary translation of Report in Turkish) 23 Bibliography

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Appendix: Map and list of abandoned/operational mines and quarries visited throughout Cyprus. 30-31

Cover pictures: 1. (on left) Kinousa abandoned mine, Paphos, Elli Tzirkalli 2. (on right) Sykhari abandoned quarry, Kerynia, Elli Tzirkalli

Credits for photographs in text: nos 5-7, 8, 10, 11, 16-20, 22-25. Elli Tzirkalli nos Geological Survey Department no 9. http://www.fundacionlasmedulas.com no 12. http://www.minesofsardinia.com no13. http://www.quarryamphitheatre.com.au no14. Artemis Yiordamli no15. http://www.mii.org no 21. George Petrides Published in Limassol, July 2009 Copyright: Laona Foundation for the Conservation and Regeneration of the Cypriot Countryside ISBN: 978-9963-8109-1-8

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THINK TANK on

Sustainable Rehabilitation of Mines and Quarries 2008-2009

A bi-communal Think Tank was established as part of the objectives of the project on Sustainable Rehabilitation of Mines and Quarries undertaken by the Laona Foundation in 2007 with funding from UNDP-Act. The Think Tank met six times over a period of approximately ten months from June 2008 to April 2009. This report summarizes the deliberations and suggestions raised during the TT meetings. The names of the participants in the Think Tank are set out below (surnames in alphabetical order)

1. Mr Mustafa Alcaravli, Mining Engineer

2. Mr Erotokritos Anastasiades, Mining Engineer, Mineralogist

3. Dr Cavit Atalar, Mining Engineer

4. Dr George Constantinou, Geologist

5. Mr Halil Erdim, Mining Engineer

6. Mr Nicos Georgiades, Geographer, Town Planner, Mgr Environmental

7. Mr Bektas Göze, Mining Engineer

8. Dr Vassiliki Kassianidou, Archaeologist, Archaeometallurgist

9. Dr Michalis Loizides, Chemical/Environmental Engineer

10. Dr Eleni Morisseau, Geologist specializing in mineral resources development

11. Mr Mehmed Necdet, Geologist

12. Mr Andreas Panayiotou, Geologist

13. Mr George Petrides, Geologist

14. Dr Dogan Sahir, Architect

15. Mr Nick Symons, Biologist-Ecologist

16. Mr Dimitris Vattis, Mining Engineer

17. Mr Dinos Xydas, Mining Engineer

Coordinator: Dr Artemis Yiordamli, Geographer, Barrister-at-Law

Project Team Members Dr Artemis Yiordamli, Geographer, Barrister-at-Law Dr George Constantinou, Geologist Mr George Petrides, Geologist Mr Costas Orountiotis, Environmental Engineer Ms Elli Tzirkalli, Environmental Biologist Project and field officer: Elli Tzir

port of

kalli

Funded with the generous sup

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THINK TANK REPORT ON SUSTAINABLE REHABILITATION OF MINES AND QUARRIES, 2009 1. Introduction

1.1 Cyprus has one operating mine and about 40 abandoned mines and over 300 abandoned

and functioning quarries. The abandoned sites have not been rehabilitated (with the exception of the Asbestos Mine at Amiantos and Limni Mine, which is in the process of rehabilitation) and this has led to a variety of problems, such as land degradation, water runoff and the inevitable usage of the sites as unregulated dumping areas. Operating sites have no long-term closure strategy other than a never-ending procedure of rather unsuccessful tree planting (usually pines and acacia), regardless of local conditions.

1.2 The project ‘Sustainable use of abandoned Mines and Quarries in Cyprus’, was initiated

by the Laona Foundation, in order to frame the right questions and produce needed answers, for the development of legal and regulatory tools regarding the fate of abandoned mines and quarries in Cyprus. To this end the project undertook inter alia to: • Set up a bicommunal, inter-disciplinary Think Tank (TT) that can develop a working

sustainable strategy for mines and quarries • Perform an island-wide survey of abandoned mines and quarries (partly covering

operating quarries), incorporating information and input from local communities • Perform a site-specific study of Apliki, Mavrovouni and Skouriotissa mines and

develop a pilot proposal • Publish and disseminate its findings

2. The concept and terms of reference of the Think Tank

2.1 The concept of setting up a Think Tank to address a specific problem is commonplace in the western world, but not yet in Cyprus. As far the TT is aware, this might be the first attempt to convene a TT with an ongoing brief and. In any case, it is the first bicommunal TT to formulate an overall strategy touching on the full spectrum of the extraction industry in Cyprus, covering cultural, economic, environmental and other issues, concerning abandoned mines and quarries, as well as those still operating. The aim was to generate proposals for the sustainable exploitation of mines and quarries that will be friendly to the environment, sensitive to local history and applicable to the whole of Cyprus.

2.2 The perceived problems that led to this project were: • The existence of long abandoned mines and quarries, possibly contaminating or

polluting the soil, air, and water1, the absence of a policy or legislation specifying how to deal with sites abandoned before the 1980s, and who is responsible to undertake and pay for the task of rehabilitation, as regards before and after the accession of Cyprus to the European Union in 2004.

• The limited concept of rehabilitation that has been practiced since rehabilitation became obligatory in 1980, which basically amounted either to cursory replanting undertaken in an ineffective way, or to utilization of pits as unregulated rubbish dumps.

• The fact that residential development has been creeping nearer and nearer to mine/quarry sites, leading to conflicts with the locals.

2.3 It was felt that if the ownership of abandoned sites were known, a considerable part of the

problem might be better addressed in relation to the accepted principle ‘’the polluter pays’’ and to answering the question ‘’who is the polluter at an abandoned mine?’’. The project intended to tackle this task, bearing in mind that site ownership falls into the following categories:

1 It is generally held that contamination is the infection caused by biological factors, e.g microorganisms on

humans and the environment; whereas pollution is the introduction of chemical substances (liquid, solid, gas) that can pollute the environment and interfere with human health and the natural functioning of ecosystems. However, it is also understood that engineers may interpret these terms differently from other scientists, so both terms are used in this report.

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- sites on land requisitioned by the operator under earlier legal regimes; - sites on land owned privately (usually by local people) and leased to the operator; - sites on land owned by the Government, on hali or forest land, leased to the operator; - sites owned by the operator – the current preferred government policy for licensing.

2.4 In the process of the project and the TT’s work it became clear that within the time span

available it could not get to the bottom of the land ownership issue, mainly because information could only be obtained via the cumbersome and costly route of applying to the Lands and Surveys Department, and this Department has stated to the Mines Service that such a task, if undertaken, would take a very long time to complete.

However, it also became evident that there were so many other issues to consider, that the TT could usefully focus on those for which knowledge of who owned the land was not a prerequisite. Moreover, since the sites being worked today will be the abandoned sites of tomorrow, the TT decided to explore not only the issue of rehabilitation vis-à-vis already abandoned sites, but to also address considerations regarding the best policies for dealing with current working sites and the conditions to be imposed on future licensing applications.

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e most part are d no policing. coming sites of

d away from communities, and with r.

private initiative) designated, but

hat rehabilitation efforts throughout the island have not been very successful.

be located at a safe and discreet lves next to housing developments

that are the result of an expanding community. Quarry managers acknowledged a plethora of unanticipated complaints from local communities and residents.

• All quarry managers interviewed for this project expressed frustration, dismay and disappointment with the licensing process. They specifically blamed the licensing authorities for policies that: - promote short-term over long term planning - foster friction between communities and quarries - force a choice between tourism interests and quarry operation

• All Community Council Presidents interviewed expressed a preference for quarry closure and re-use of the space in a more people-friendly manner, such as agrotourism.

• It should be noted that Skouriotissa is now the only operational mine throughout the island (and holds the distinction of having operated almost continuously since antiquity). This operation is still profitable, despite the recent economic crisis. Apliki mine, part of which is in the buffer zone, is non operational, though with promising ore reserves, and is undergoing natural and effective rehabilitation. However, the water in its pond remains acidic. There are no structures or abandoned heavy machinery on site. The abandoned structures at Lefka and Mavrovouni mines are undisturbed, but the open excavation pit is currently a licensed, though unsecured, non-segregated rubbish dump.

3 Basic facts established from site visits conducted during 2007-2008

• Non-operational mines and quarries are not only abandoned, but for thunsecured and unsupervised, i.e. no security fence, no warning signs an

• Those close to and with easy access to rural communities are beunregulated dumping, whereas those that are locatedifficult access, are undisturbed and natural re-vegetation has taken ove

• There are no planned or ongoing rehabilitation efforts for any abandoned, inoperable or closed mines, other than the Amiantos (state initiative) and Limni (mines. The open pit of Mavrovouni mine is currently re-used as a unregulated, dump site.

• Visual evidence from visits by the working group indicates t

• Many operational quarries that were designed to distance from local communities, now find themse

2 Site visits were conducted by the working group carrying out this project.

5 4. Some of the additional problems that came to the fore at this time were:

4.1 The acknowledgement that some materials (e.g. diabase) are only found in forested areas,

thus intervention in forests by quarrying may, in some cases, be inevitable. 4.2 The complete reversal in public acceptance of mining/quarrying sites. Whereas this

activity was welcomed in the past as the provider of local employment, it is now viewed in a negative light, as a disturbance that also prevents land owners from developing their land and, moreover, reduces the value of nearby land.

4.3 The absence of integrated government planning. While four departments are mainly involved - Mines, Geological Survey, Town Planning, Environment Service – the last two have different agendas and their approach is often quite antithetical to those of the first two. On the other hand, in a number of state development plans, the mining and quarrying activity was encouraged and considered as a strong contributor to economic progress and development.

4.4 The Town Planning Department’s policy over the last years has been to push for ever shorter operating licenses while concurrently approving building licenses for homes that are gradually approaching the quarrying site and are thereby exposed to the dust, ground vibrations, noise (caused by explosions, heavy machinery, traffic and crushing plants) and other disturbance created. This is leading to an ever increasing lobby against quarrying activity.

4.5 At the same time, the pro-construction policy followed by successive governments has developed a ‘chicken and egg’ situation. If more houses, roads, marinas and other infrastructures are promoted, then more building materials (cement, aggregates, stone etc.) have to be quarried. Moreover, the more we build in concrete and bricks, which have a finite life span, the more we need to consider what will happen to this material at the end of its life.

4.6 Finally, although it has been estimated that in Cyprus there are still untapped resources that will provide building materials (aggregates and gypsum) for the next 25 years (Wardell-Armstrong and A.L.A. Planning Partnership Report, 2003, pp. 5-6) at current rates of development, there is actually no long-term planning about the mining quarrying/ industry (presentation by E. Morriseau 2008).

5. Revised remit of Think Tank After consideration of various issues, the original remit of the Think Tank proved to be too

broad, and by the third meeting the Think Tank had sidelined some issues as symptomatic rather than causal/root problems and focused on some fundamental questions. The Think Tank determined that answering such questions directly affected underlying policies. These questions were:

5.1 ‘What is an abandoned mine/quarry’? The answer determines not only re-use issues, but

actual costs for rehabilitation of the site. 5.2 ‘What is sustainable quarrying’? In other words are we either depleting the resources too

quickly and/or are we creating serious irreversible collateral damage in other sectors (e.g environment biodiversity, etc.) through excessive extraction? The quarrying industry has received a tremendous boost by a rapidly expanding, even superheated, Cypriot economy. The demand for housing, commercial buildings and infrastructure such as roads, dams, marinas, sewerage and water systems has been such that there has been no time by the government or civil society to consider the sustainability and the ramifications of increased quarrying. Is the approach currently used, a valid and sustainable model for the desired development of Cyprus?

5.3 Does the "polluter pays" principle apply’? If so, how should the polluter be determined? How is this principle applied to long abandoned sites?

5.4 Should the standard reforestation ‘’blanket approach’’ to site rehabilitation be challenged in light of ecological evidence?

5.5 Should the TT take issue with the current quarry licensing regime? The proposed Turkish Cypriot licensing scheme which is based on a graded points system that determines the length and conditions of the license, was presented and found worthy of further consideration.

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6. When can a site be considered abandoned?/Definition of an abandoned

mine/quarry Considerations concerning the rehabilitation of abandoned sites inevitably led to the question: when can a site be considered abandoned? This question becomes more relevant today when new technologies make it feasible to process mineral ores that were previously too difficult or costly to access. Also, prices in the global market may now make the re-working of what used to be considered secondary materials of little value, an industrially useful and economically viable proposition.

EU Directive 2006/21 on the management of waste from the extracting industries at article 12 para 3 provides that ‘’a waste facility may be considered as finally closed only after the competent authority has, without undue delay, carried out a final on-site inspection, assessed all the reports submitted by the operator, certified that the land affected by a waste facility has been rehabilitated and communicated to the operator its approval of the closure. That approval shall not in any way reduce the operator’s obligations under the conditions of the permit or otherwise in law’’.

The Think Tank did not consider that a ‘’closed facility’’ corresponds to its own understanding of an abandoned site for the purpose of this report, and therefore, offers the following definition of an abandoned site:

A site which is inactive (not operational) for almost 20 years, it has not been rehabilitated and there is no serious investor interested to re-operate it.

In the case of a former mining site a more specific qualification could be that

It has remained inactive for at least two commodity price cycles (each cycle being estimated at around seven years) and there is an absence of investor interest for reopening, evidenced by the non-issuance of a prospecting permit (the pre-mining lease license).

7. Parameters of sustainable rehabilitation

The Think Tank considers that sustainable rehabilitation must address at least six parameters: • Health and safety: is there contamination/pollution in the ground, water or air that

needs to be addressed? • Aesthetics: how can we overcome what many consider a gaping ‘’wound’’ in the

landscape? Is it really a wound, or a cultural monument that forms an important part of our industrial heritage?

• Ecological sustainability: is the proposed solution compatible with the local ecology and does it support and enhance local species, as well as biodiversity in general? Is it working with natural processes?

• Economic viability: this refers not only to the cost of rehabilitation but to the reduction in value of the countryside. How does it affect the value of adjoining lands?

• Alternative re-use: what new use would be suitable not only for the site itself, but within our country’s overall land use policy, so that open spaces are utilized wisely. Under this last parameter it became clear that sustainable rehabilitation is not only concerned with the site itself and its effect on the immediate environment and landscape, but must take into account broader national planning issues.

• Opinions, hopes and aspirations of local communities.

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8. Sustainable Rehabilitation considerations

Addressing the parameters outlined in para 7, the Think Tank expressed the following views.

8.1 Health and safety considerations: 8.1.1 This is obviously the one most significant consideration, yet there still seem to be a lot of

unanswered questions (or unconvincing replies) and half-measures taking place, giving rise to public misconceptions. Safety issues arise mainly from two sources: potential erosion of steep slopes; and from toxic waste materials (usually in the form of acid drains) either exposed or buried without due care3. Contamination/pollution questions have been raised in connection with the asbestos mine at Amiantos and the tailings ponds at Xeros near Lefka. Landslide issues have also been connected to Amiantos, and appear to have been addressed, whereas they continue to pose a problem at e.g. Larnaka tis Lapithou on the southern slopes of Pendadaktylos.

Note: Safety issues from heavy truck traffic are not addressed in this report, as that would again over-broaden the scope of this work.

8.1.2 Licences granted after the accession of Cyprus to the EU in 2004, are largely governed by two EU Directives: the first is Directive 2004/34/EC on Environmental Liability, which became law in 2007 and is based on the ’polluter pays’ principle, and the second is Directive 2006/21/EC concerning the management of wastes from the extracting industries, not yet enacted into law. However, the situation is not straight-forward. Regarding the first Directive (on environmental liability), the liability is for damage caused to the environment in general, not to specific persons (who can claim damages through civil actions in court). It is assumed that the law based on this Directive does not provide a remedy for pollution created in earlier times, although it could be argued that if the pollution continues after 2004, even though operations ceased before that time, it would fall within the ambit of the current law, if the polluter were traceable. However, even if this were the case, the law does not currently apply in the northern part of Cyprus where the potentially polluting tailings of the Lefka/Xeros area are still considered to be causing problems.

8.1.3 Under the English Common Law, which has applied in Cyprus since colonial times, the legal remedy has in the past been addressed through an action for nuisance (οχληρία). This concerns damages to a specific party, but does not provide recourse where damage is to the public at large by affecting the surrounding environment. However, the latter case has been addressed through recourses to the Constitutional Court where damage to human health was given a broad interpretation. While there have always been the legal recourses just mentioned, there has also been a reluctance on the part of Cypriot courts to award substantial damages against offenders and a reluctance on the part of governments to make the offenders responsible. In the case of the declaration of bankruptcy by the Asbestos Mine at Amiantos and its subsequent closure, it was left to the Government to proceed with rehabilitation.

8.1.4 In cases where the cost of remedying the damage left behind by mining activities is substantial (as in Skouriotissa, Amiantos and Lefka) the operators of the sites were not obliged to make good and public authorities are unwilling to get involved, unless the funds are externally provided. In Skouriotissa the clean-up was achieved by allowing re-operation of the mine on condition that part of the income generated would cover the cost of remediation. In Amiantos the rehabilitation has been funded from the

3 It is scientifically accepted that whereas most chemicals could impact ground water through vertical migration, heavy metals are trapped within a shallow horizon near the soil surface. For this reason mine ponds with a high acidic content, while not inherently dangerous to humans (unless deliberately ingested) could be harmful to fauna. However, the absence of animal or bird remains near such ponds seems to indicate that fauna are able to distinguish and avoid these ponds.

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Rehabilitation Fund administered by the Geological Survey Department to which all

licensed operators contribute, and this has used up a large part of the Fund’s resources leaving limited funds for other sites. In Lefka the problem remains, partly because the polluter, viz. the US-based Cyprus Mines Corporation, ceased operations and withdrew in 1974, and so far no legal redress has been sought in the US courts. Nevertheless, part of the EU assistance offered to the Turkish Cypriot community has been devoted to exploring the situation at Lefka and considering possible scenarios to address it.

3. Amiantos mine, 1950’s 4. Amiantos mine, 2000’s (Rehabilitation work in progress)

5-6. Lefka/Xeros area, polluted tailings 7. Lefka abandoned mine is now

an official dumping site

8.2 Aesthetic considerations

8.2.1 Historically most Cypriots have been largely indifferent to destruction of their landscape, but they are very conscious of what might be perceived as a threat to their own property interests. Now that sale/development of land is considered the best, if not the only, profitable investment, and that interest by property developers has moved beyond the

e operation of mines/quarries are often expressed in al considerations, whereas in many cases, the local

ably, want to protect their direct interests.

g both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot far been limited to tree-planting by introducing young trees,

on terraced land. With the notable exception of the Konnos area at Cavo has mostly proved ineffective.

8.2.3 There is an alternative school of thought, supported by mining engineers, geologists and

archaeologists, that since mining has been associated with the wealth and fame of our island from ancient times, the evidence of mining/quarrying activity is part of our cultural heritage. So, far from obliterating all traces of this activity, we should protect the remains of older sites as cultural (industrial) monuments and utilize them for educational purposes and as tourist attractions.

8.2.4 In fact, the project’s observations of 40 sites throughout the island seem to indicate that

the most harmonious rehabilitation in the landscape is where Nature is allowed to take over, whereby the forest or flora returns, but the historical activity is still visible and open

coast to rural areas, objections to thterms of aesthetic and environmentland owners, understand

8.2.2 The aesthetics of rehabilitation amoncommunities have so sometimes Greco, Famagusta, this

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to visitor interpretation. This has been observed both at Petra abandoned mine in the Larnaka district (Kalavassos/Asgata area) and Kilanemos abandoned quarry in the Karpass. It was noted that in some cases, notably at Vitsada in the Mesaoria plain, the stark remains of the quarrying activity provide an almost ‘natural’ stone monument in the horizon, whereas the half-hearted attempt to plant pines on the same site is not only superfluous, but ineffective, since it is a species not suited to the dry plains. So it could be said that this is a case of ‘’less is more’’ - the less you interfere, the better it could be.

8. Vitsada abandoned quarry 9. Las Medulas, Spain seems like a ‘natural’ stone Remains of old Roman gold mine monument now a UNESCO world heritage site 10-11. Petra abandoned mine, Kalavassos, 12.Barraxiutta mine, Sardinia naturally revegetated 8.2.5 However, given that modern-day quarrying takes up extensive land areas, and that

residential building is no longer limited to the village nucleus, but occurs much closer to the site than in the past, it is probably not appropriate or sufficient to prescribe that leaving abandoned sites alone to recover, should be applied. A better policy would be to give Nature a helping hand by working with natural succession processes. There are also other reasons, which we shall see below, advocating in favour of alternative re-use, in various cases.

8.3 Considerations of ecological sustainability

8.3.1 The term ecological sustainability refers to whether a solution can support the species

native to that area, and whether it enhances natural biodiversity. The practice of planting young pines already referred to, is not ecologically ideal. Pine forests are low in bird diversity, and in any case, pines would have a better chance of survival if planted as seeds and allowed to grow together with the natural vegetation of the area which is more robust. A botanical study undertaken at Skouriotissa (Andri Yiangou, 2008) shows that over 112 species of natural flora continued to grow in the area, despite the long and extensive mining operations, and it is our strong recommendation that any replanting should involve a mixture of local shrubs and other flora which in turn support local fauna. Alien species (e.g Acacia) which become invasive and overtake local species should be avoided. Additionally, the practice of terracing is unnecessary where there is no danger of landslide or erosion, since it causes further disturbance to the recently established condition of the area. On the contrary, maintaining the cliff edges left on the site provides a habitat for birds of prey. For this reason cliff faces should be secured and enhanced wherever possible both by creating some openings on the cliff face for nesting purposes, and also by encouraging shrub growth.

10 8.4 Economic viability of rehabilitation

8.4.1 It is generally considered that rehabilitation solutions are harder and costlier to implement

if decided when operations cease, rather than if they have been planned in advance and built into the cost of the operation and its design. This consideration requires, both in the case of future licensees and of re-licensing, that: • There should be a requirement for long term land-use planning which is compatible

with the countryside and the rural landscape; • The licensing authority should be aware of such planning and guide the applicants

rather than leave it to them to propose the easiest solution; • More realistic amounts than hitherto should be paid into the Rehabilitation Fund. • Stricter standards should be introduced by the statutory licensing authorities, as to

who can be defined and accepted as a potential natural resource prospector.

8.4.2 In the case of already abandoned sites, if allowing Nature to take over while giving it a helping hand is the most economic solution, this should be assisted with regulatory and practical measures which ensure that these sites do not end up as rubbish dumps, unless so decided. Proposed interventions to improve the quality of habitats for biodiversity are given under paras 10 and 11.

8.5 Alternative re-use, beyond revegetation

8.5.1 Although there is a tendency to think that acceptable future re-uses have to be attractive – e.g. forests, open air museums, tourist complexes – as opposed to rubbish dumps, this way of thinking has to be tempered with reality. In effect a mine or a quarry often leaves behind an open pit which is a very convenient place to dump waste. Since we do need places to deposit our wastes, it makes more sense to do so in a location that has been already degraded, than to seek out other rural, and possibly pristine, locations to turn into landfills. Additional needs imposed on us by EU directives call for establishing areas to deposit inert waste, or for waste sorting before final treatment. Having said this, the Think Tank is concerned that it should not be interpreted as encouraging re-use of our industrial heritage strictly as waste dumps. The first obligation vis-a-vis waste treatment, is to minimize waste, particularly on permeable substrata such as limestone. Consideration also needs to be given to the whole mechanism of attracting users to the land-fill (viz. distance/access for users) and to its appearance on closure. Furthermore, one has to consider seriously the concerns and objections of the local communities bordering the various sites. If the local communities do not want mines or quarries to

ely the existing/abandoned mine

8.5.2 quarries could be used to

t be established in other areas. Such stall

cture of n air theatres in some locations, as has

13. Amphitheatre Quarry 14. Solar furnace 15. Rόdersdorf Limestone Quarry, Cambridge, UK Odeillo, France Germany

operate in their proximitaffected, why should theyor quarry to another activity im

Nevertheless, the fact rehost installations and ac

opencast quarries is the actually happened in othe

y because their land values or quality of life are advers consent to changing the use of

posing an equal degree of nuisance?

mains that abandoned mines andtivities which could no

might be the use of pits as water reservoirs and the use of abandoned sites to inphotovoltaics or sewage plants. Not to mention that the amphitheatrical stru

ideal lay-out to host oper countries.

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Development of tourist complexes is already considered to be a suitable re-use by the authorities in Cyprus; Limni Mine has obtained official approval to be privately redeveloped in this way, and the owner of Zygi quarry also plans to develop a luxury holiday complex when the quarry’s useful life is over. Where the historical/visual remains of a site are to be obliterated, serious consideration must be given as to whether another one, with similar characteristics, remains as an example of this particular industrial heritage.

8.5.3 In any case, very serious consideration must be given to the historical significance of a site. Μining and production of copper has been taking place on Cyprus at least since the second millennium BC and is, therefore, closely related with the its history. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that some mines, such as, Skouriotissa, Mitsero, Kokkinoyia, Kokkinopezoula, Kalavassos/Platies, Mavrovouni, Lefka, are preserved as archaeological parks where both Cypriots and visitors from abroad can learn about this important part of our island’s cultural heritage. Similar efforts have been extremely successful in other European countries (such as the Great Orme in Wales, the Geological and Mining Park of Sardinia, Iglesias, etc). Las Medulas in Spain, where the remains of Roman gold mining are preserved, has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site attracting thousands of visitors every year. The creation of such an archaeological park, or better still a historical circuit, in Cyprus will help boost the local economy by creating a new attraction which will bring visitors to areas thus far neglected as tourist destinations.

Important mining sites

16-17. Skouriotissa ancient slags and mine pit 18. Old Gold mine, Mitsero 19. Kokkinogia mine 20. Kokkinopezoula mine 21. Platies mine, Kalavasos 22-23. Mavrovouni underground Mine and facilities 24. Lefka Mine

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Geological map of Cyprus showing the locations of important mining sites that can form a possible circuit of archaeological-industrial heritage parks.

8.6 Local opinion and aspirations concerning rehabilitation and re-use of sites.

8.6.1 This consideration has been left till the end, even though it is most important, because it

is perhaps the trickiest. We have already discussed the perceived threat to communities from applications for new/renewed licenses. While rehabilitation and re-use is usually a welcome activity for the local community, the residents may not be fully aware of all possible options open to them, or of the needs that national planning must satisfy. For this reason they should be involved in the rehabilitation planning process at an early stage, before rumours and suspicion run rampant. In accordance with the precepts of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Environmental Information 1998 (to which Cyprus is a signatory), stakeholders should not only be informed, but made a part of the decision-making. This means that the authorities should be prepared not simply to inform, but to consider with the local population, all parameters mentioned above and to share their reasoning in a transparent way.

8.6.2 Equally important, is private initiative and entrepreneurial spirit. This is of course

relevant in cases where a mine or quarry is fully owned by a legal entity. In such cases the abandoned mines are rehabilitated according to the owners’ business plans and not necessarily according to public consensus, or any otherwise-determined concept of the common good. Such examples are the Limni Mine restoration by the Shacolas Group of Companies and the Kambia Mine by Polyanco Estates Ltd; Such efforts that fall within the domain of private ownership of land, are by nature more decisive and are implemented much faster than similar efforts at sites with multiple owners, or state- owned sites. However, the fact that there is limited outside supervision, may lead to activities unsupported by the spirit (and occasionally) the letter of environmental law; examples of that are dust control activities at Limni using acidic water from the mine pit pond, and acacia planting (an invasive alien species) at Kambia mine. Two distinct schools of thought were identified in the TT deliberations and in the public presentation to wider stakeholders. The one school of thought holds that so long as one acts within

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the law, a private owner may develop as he sees fit, given that aesthetics are a subjective matter. The other school holds that if you are dealing with a potential national monument, private initiative should be circumscribed. The solution may be in designating a status for sites similar to that which applies to listed buildings (διατηρητέα) and specifying basic conditions that need to be observed by the owner when planning a re-use of the site.

9. Is a mine ever really abandoned?

Given the fact that new technologies allow access to minerals which previously were either too costly to reach, or which had a low, or no market value, the Think Tank considered whether and what type of rehabilitation, if any, might be suited to a site that might be re-used in future. It concluded that if rehabilitation is seen as an on-going process (see below) rather than an activity that takes place only at the end of a site’s economically useful life, it is possible to make appropriate arrangements, so that rehabilitation measures that work with nature are taken, which also allow for future access and re-use.

10. Conclusions A. Long-term considerations

Mining, but especially quarrying, cannot be seen in isolation, but within the context of our national sustainable development planning, since it affects land-use both as an impact to the natural and social environment, and also as an input to the economy though the construction industry.

Consequently there is an urgent need for long-term planning which will address: • Where mineral resources are and what is their long-term availability. • How many resources we are likely to use over the next 25-50 years. • Whether there is a useful correlation between the location of minerals and proposed

development areas. • Are concrete and bricks likely to continue to be the preferred construction material? • Is there, or should there be, a point beyond which it would it be more cost-effective to

import minerals or change construction methods or reuse demolition/construction waste, or use recycled materials, in order to avoid further social problems and environmental degradation?

• Would long-term site operation permits of 10 years or more help to ensure environmentally-friendly investment in machinery and operational philosophy?

B. Rehabilitation of sites

• Rehabilitation should be planned from the inception of operations and should be on-going.

• Re-forestation with pine trees is not suitable except in forests, and is also wasteful if the young trees have to be watered. Reforestation with seeds and incorporation of local flora is recommended. Alien species should not be used.

• Terracing should not be encouraged unless to protect the area from land-slides; instead there should be better utilization of the cliff edges left by the site operation.

C. Who pays?

If it is agreed that helping nature to take over is the most advisable choice for abandoned mines and quarries, then the expenses are not insurmountable. The main expenses involved are limited to proper fencing, anti-erosion measures, control and, if need be, diversion of rainwater flow, as well as marking and interpreting such sites. These are tasks that can be funded through the Rural Agricultural Plan 2007-13 (and future plans). A pre-requisite will be to ensure that there is no contamination and, in order to apply common standards, this is a government task, specially since the appropriate departments are also in possession of the relevant information about past activities. Where the land belongs to the operator and is now used, or will be used, for other purposes, the operator should bear the responsibility for clean-up and other safety costs.

14 11. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

Regarding long-term planning: 1. There is a need for a long term island-wide study on the advisability of extending

quarrying zones, which should take into account the points raised at para 10A, above, concerning the availability and location of minerals, as well as the viability of continuing to use current construction methods and materials. A similar position has been expressed by the Cyprus Technical Chamber in its bulletin no. 109 of Feb. 20084. Meanwhile all involved departments, viz., Mines, Geological Survey, Town Planning, Environment and Forests should, in their joint deliberations, also consider the issues raised at para 10A, and reach a better consensus than exists at present, so that prospective operators can be suitably guided about rehabilitation and/or re-use.

Regarding improved procedures 2. Future licenses to be of long term (at least up to 10-year) duration, to allow for

proper economic and sustainability planning. 3. Licenses granted by the authorities and all relevant information as to the terms and

conditions of the license, including rehabilitation conditions, and the ownership of land, should be available to the public and on-line. Such a register would also facilitate the operation of the ‘polluter pays’ principle.

4. A standard condition in all licenses should be that leftover and discarded material should be evaluated for suitability and where possible re-used in the building industry in the form of sand, or gravels. To do so appropriate equipment for crushing, sieving, etc. should be installed on the quarry site.

5. Given that local participation is now an important part of equitable governance, it must be suitably conducted. Under the Aarhus Convention stakeholder participation can no longer be just a formal exercise of imparting information; since appropriate techniques and processes for public participation have been developed by European organizations, these techniques should be applied also in Cyprus. Thus, suitable training courses should be offered to Cypriot civil servants and others who will be involved in the process of public consultation.

6. The concept of a sustainable Mining and Quarrying Think Tank as a permanent practice should be considered. Such a body, with appropriate terms of reference could usefully follow up whatever actions are adopted, continuously appraising new developments in the extracting sector.

7. The relevant departments (Mines, Geological Survey) should work with the Agriculture Department in developing suitable provisions for re-habilitation and/or re-use in the Rural Development Plan and, subsequently, should work with local communities helping them to secure funds from the Plan. Thus, the full spectrum of re-use probabilities should be discussed to broaden the limited local vision.

8. Guidelines should be developed for sustainable rehabilitation and potential re-use based on the points raised in this report and in particular on points 1, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of this paragraph. Additionally, the guidelines should provide what record should be kept (photographic and other) of the area, so that base-line information is available for comparison purposes, when rehabilitation is implemented.

4 Position of Cyprus Technical Chamber: study on the extension of quarrying zones (bulletin 109, February 2008,

page. 27.) (Extract)

The Cyprus Technical Chamber recommends that an interdisciplinary study be carried out as regards the extension of quarrying zones in Cyprus. In addition to geological and mineral considerations, the study should take into account potential environmental impacts and existing settlement data. (This position is contained in a letter of 20 Feb 2008 addressed by the Chamber to the President of the Board for Consideration of Planning Deviations).

15

Regarding natural rehabilitation through revegetation of operating sites and licenses for new sites 9. In cases of natural rehabilitation the operator should be required by the licensing

authorities to work with the processes of natural succession and the surrounding landscape. For instance: • instead of planting trees on artificial terraces, to use seeds of shrubs/trees,

including the site’s natural vegetation. This will stabilize the ground and speed-up succession;

• among the site operator’s obligations must be the creation of a ‘bank’ of local flora seeds;

• allow breaking up and moderate use of drilling and blasting of solid rock floors to encourage plants to colonize.

• assisting re-growth should utilize ecological alternatives, see point 10 below.

Regarding natural rehabilitation of abandoned sites 10. For already abandoned sites, develop possible alternative scenarios, bearing in mind

the points made at para 10C above, considering the responsibility for safety issues and the work required to assist natural processes.

11. In cases where there has been no natural re-growth, identify the reason and work towards over-coming it. Where the lack of, or inadequacy of, top soil is the cause, consider ecological alternatives such as spreading sludge or compost on the surface or utilizing ‘vinassa’, the waste derived from wine production which is currently unutilised.

Regarding alternative re-use of abandoned sites 12. Consider the proposals discussed at paras 8.5.1 and 8.5.2 within the country’s

overall planning. Based on para 8.5.3 decide which mines/quarries could form the basis of an industrial history trail that might obtain international recognition. Aim for project funding to design and implement this.

25. Amiandos mine with terracing introduced to a avert landslides and for tree-planting purposes, as part of the rehabilitation process that started in the 1990’s.

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16

Δεξαμενή Σκέψης (Ομάδα Προβληματισμού – Think Tank) για την

αειφόρα αποκατάσταση μεταλλείων και λατομείων (2008-9)

ΣΥΝΟΠΤΙΚΗ ΜΕΤΑΦΡΑΣΗ ΕΚΘΕΣΗΣ

Η Δεξαμενή Σκέψης (ή Δ.Σ) δημιουργήθηκε στα πλαίσια δικοινοτικής μελέτης για την αειφόρο αποκατάσταση εγκαταλελειμμένων μεταλλείων και λατομείων στην Κύπρο. Χρηματοδοτείται από το Πρόγραμμα Ανάπτυξης των Ηνωμένων Εθνών (UNDP-Act). Οι όροι εντολής ήταν να διατυπώσει τις παραμέτρους μιας γενικής στρατηγικής για τη λειτουργία της εξορυκτικής δραστηριότητας εστιάζοντας στην αποκατάσταση εγκαταλειμμένων μεταλλείων και λατομείων. Με άλλα λόγια, αφού εξετάσει τις οικονομικές, κοινωνικές και περιβαλλοντικές πτυχές της βιομηχανίας αυτής, να καταλήξει σε προτάσεις που θα προωθούν την αειφορία, θα προβάλλουν την ιστορική διάσταση της εξορυκτικής δραστηριότητας και θα είναι εφαρμόσιμες γενικά. Τη Δεξαμενή Σκέψης αποτέλεσαν 17 άτομα που συμμετείχαν με τη προσωπική τους ιδιότητα. Όπως συνηθίζεται διεθνώς, η συμμετοχή ήταν διατομεακή, για να εξεταστεί πολύπλευρα το θέμα, μολονότι το σώμα αυτό δεν είχε εκτελεστική εξουσία. 1. Στην Κύπρο, υπάρχουν σήμερα ένα μεταλλείο σε λειτουργία (στη Σκουριώτισσα) και 40 εγκαταλειμμένα, καθώς και πάνω από 300 λατομεία ενεργά και εγκαταλειμμένα,

αδειούχα και μη. 2. Τα προβλήματα προς εξέταση είναι: Η παρουσία από χρόνια εγκαταλειμμένων

εκμεταλλεύσεων που πιθανόν να συνεχίζουν να ρυπαίνουν το έδαφος, το νερό ή τον αέρα. Η απουσία νομοθεσίας ή πολιτικής είτε για αποκατάσταση εκμεταλλεύσεων που εγκαταλείφθηκαν πριν το 1980 είτε για τον καθορισμό του υπεύθυνου ν’ αναλάβει την απαιτούμενη οικονομική δαπάνη αποκατάστασης τους. Οι περιορισμένες μορφές αποκατάστασης που εφαρμόζονται μετά το 1980, όπως αναποτελεσματική φυτοκάλυψη με δεντρίλια ή η μετατροπή των χώρων σε σκυβαλότοπους.

3. Από επιτόπια έρευνα που πραγματοποιήθηκε από Ομάδα Εργασίας που

συστάθηκε στα πλαίσια της μελέτης, διαπιστώθηκε ότι: 3.1 Οι πλείστες εγκαταλειμμένες εκμεταλλεύσεις αφέθηκαν ανεξέλεγκτες, χωρίς περίφραξη ή

προειδοποιητικά σήματα. 3.2 Η μόνη πρωτοβουλία αποκατάστασης προς το παρόν είναι αυτή στο μεταλλείο Αμιάντου,

όπου έγινε δενδροφύτευση, και του Μαυροβουνίου, που μετατράπηκε σε εγκεκριμένο σκυβαλότοπο.

3.3 Οι προτάσεις αποκατάστασης σε ενεργές εκμεταλλεύσεις όπου βασίζονται σε άρδευση των φυτεύσεων είναι υδροβόρες και ανεπιτυχείς όταν εγκαταλειφθεί ο χώρος.

3.4 Η ραγδαία οικιστική επέκταση συχνά πλησιάζει στα όρια των εκμεταλλεύσεων έστω και αν στα αρχικά στάδια της εξόρυξης οι περιοχές αυτές ήταν απόμακρες. Εκφράστηκαν επικρίσεις κατά των αρμόδιων αρχών που αδειοδοτούν τις επεκτάσεις δημιουργώντας τριβές μεταξύ της επιχείρησης εκμετάλλευσης και των ιδιοκτητών γης.

4. Πρόσθετα προβλήματα που διαφάνηκαν στην πορεία ήταν το γεγονός ότι: 4.1 Κάποια λατομικά υλικά (λ.χ τα διαβασικά), βρίσκονται λόγω της σύνθεσής τους μόνο μέσα

σε δασώδεις περιοχές, έτσι η λατόμευση σε δάση γίνεται αναπόφευκτη. 4.2 Η αντίθεση των τοπικών κοινοτήτων στη γειτνίαση με εξορυκτικές δραστηριότητες που

μπορεί παλιά ν’ αποτελούσαν πηγή εργασίας, αλλά σήμερα θεωρούνται ως πηγές όχλησης και ταυτόχρονα υποβιβάζουν την αξία της γης.

17 4.3 Η απουσία ενιαίας αντιμετώπισης μεταξύ των εμπλεκομένων τμημάτων (Πολεοδομίας,

Μεταλλείων, Γεωλογικής Επισκόπησης, Περιβάλλοντος). Μεταξύ άλλων αυτό έχει ως αποτέλεσμα να δίνονται άδειες λατόμευσης με όλο και συντομότερη διάρκεια- τώρα κυμαίνεται στα δύο χρόνια.

4.4 Ενώ είναι γνωστό ότι τα διαθέσιμα αποθέματα σε γύψο και σκυρόδεμα φθάνουν για περίπου ακόμα 25 χρόνια δεν υπάρχει μακροπρόθεσμος προγραμματισμός για την εξορυκτική δραστηριότητα.

4.5 Η πολιτική να ενθαρρύνεται η οικοδομική βιομηχανία οδηγεί σε αυξανόμενες ανάγκες εξόρυξης για μπετόν και τούβλα, με παράλληλη ανάγκη διαχείρισης αυτών των αδρανών υλικών όταν φθάσουν στο τέλος της ζωής τους.

5. Δεδομένης της ευρύτητας του θέματος, η Δ.Σ αποφάσισε να εστιάσει στα εξής:

• Πότε μπορεί να θεωρηθεί εγκαταλειμμένο ένα μεταλλείο/λατομείο; • Τι σημαίνει αειφόρα λατόμευση; • Μπορεί να εφαρμοστεί η αρχή ‘’ο ρυπαίνων πληρώνει’’; • Είναι αποδεκτή η υφιστάμενη πολιτική αναδάσωσης; • Είναι αποδεκτή η υφιστάμενη πολιτική αδειοδότησης;

6. Πότε μπορεί να θεωρηθεί εγκαταλειμμένο ένα μεταλλείο/λατομείο; Ποιος είναι ο

ορισμός μιας εγκαταλειμμένης περιοχής; 6.1 Σήμερα, νέες τεχνολογίες κατέστησαν δυνατή την επεξεργασία μεταλλευμάτων που

προηγουμένως ήταν πολύ δύσκολο ή πολύ δαπανηρό να εξορυχτούν. Επίσης, η αύξηση της τιμής των δευτερογενών υλικών στη παγκόσμια αγορά κατέστησε την επανεκμετάλλευσή τους μια χρήσιμη και βιώσιμη επένδυση.

6.2 Έχοντας εξετάσει τον ορισμό της Ευρωπαϊκής Οδηγίας για τα εξορυκτικά απόβλητα, η Δ.Σ

θεωρεί ότι η αναφορά σε ‘’κλειστή εκμετάλλευση’’ («closed operation») δεν βοηθά στην προκειμένη περίπτωση. Γι αυτό, η Δ.Σ. διαμόρφωσε τον ακόλουθο ορισμό της ‘εγκαταλειμμένης εκμετάλλευσης’: ‘Μια περιοχή που είναι ανενεργή για περίπου 20 χρόνια, δεν έχει αποκατασταθεί και δεν υπάρχει σοβαρός επενδυτής ενδιαφερόμενος να την επαναλειτουργήσει’ Για την περίπτωση μεταλλείου, ο πιο πάνω ορισμός θα μπορούσε να επεκταθεί με την προσθήκη ότι, ‘παραμείνει ανενεργό για τουλάχιστον δύο κύκλους τιμών των πρώτων υλών’ Ο κάθε κύκλος εκτιμάται γύρω στα επτά χρόνια, η δε απουσία επενδυτικού ενδιαφέροντος αποδεικνύεται από τη μη υποβολή αιτήσεων για προκαταρκτική έρευνα (prospecting).

6.3 Εξετάστηκε, αν και ποιος, τύπος αποκατάστασης ταιριάζει σε μια περιοχή που μπορεί να

επαναχρησιμοποιηθεί στο μέλλον. Αν η αποκατάσταση θεωρηθεί ως μια συνεχιζόμενη διαδικασία, όχι απλά μια δραστηριότητα που λαμβάνει χώρα στο τέλος της οικονομικής βιωσιμότητας μιας περιοχής, είναι δυνατό να γίνουν οι κατάλληλες διευθετήσεις έτσι ώστε η αποκατάσταση που γίνεται παράλληλα με τις φυσικές διεργασίες να επιτρέπει τη μελλοντική πρόσβαση και χρήση της περιοχής.

7. Παράμετροι για αειφορική αποκατάσταση

Η συζήτηση εστιάστηκε στις εξής παραμέτρους αειφορίας: Ασφάλεια/υγεία, αισθητική, οικολογική αειφορία, οικονομική βιωσιμότητα και εναλλακτικές χρήσεις.

18 8. Ανάλυση παραμέτρων αειφορίας 8.1 Ασφάλεια και Υγεία: υπάρχει μόλυνση στο έδαφος/νερό/αέρα που πρέπει να εξεταστεί;

και να αφαιρεθεί/περιοριστεί; Αυτή είναι η πιο σημαντική παράμετρος. Όμως, παραμένουν αναπάντητα ερωτήματα και τα μέτρα που λήφθηκαν μέχρι τώρα είναι μεμονωμένα. Θέματα ασφάλειας προκύπτουν από πιθανή διάβρωση κατακόρυφων πλαγιών, αλλά και από τοξικά υλικά (συνήθως υπό μορφή όξινων απορροών, λίμνες τελμάτων) που είναι εκτεθειμένα, ή θαμμένα χωρίς έλεγχο.

Πριν την δεκαετία του 80, οι ιδιοκτήτες λατομείων και μεταλλείων δεν ήταν υποχρεωμένοι να υποστούν το κόστος της αποκατάστασης της ζημιάς που άφησαν πίσω τους οι λατομικές και μεταλλευτικές δραστηριότητες (όπως Σκουριώτισσα, Αμίαντο, Λεύκα). Τώρα, οι τοπικές αρχές αρνούνται να εμπλακούν, εκτός αν υπάρξει εξωτερική χρηματοδότηση. Όσον αφόρα το μεταλλείο της Σκουριώτισσας, η επανέναρξη των εργασιών του δημιούργησε έσοδα τα οποία κάλυψαν το κόστος της αποκατάστασης. Στον Αμίαντο, η αποκατάσταση χρηματοδοτείται από το Ταμείο Αποκατάστασης Μεταλλείων. Στη Λεύκα δεν έγινε καμιά προσπάθεια αποκατάστασης αφού, μετά το 1974 η εταιρεία Cyprus Mining Cooperation (εγγεγραμμένη στις ΗΠΑ), εγκατέλειψε την Κύπρο και δεν έχουν ληφθεί μέτρα εναντίον της.

8.2 Αισθητική: Υπάρχει διχογνωμία κατά πόσον οι εγκαταλειμμένες εκμεταλλεύσεις

αποτελούν μια ανοικτή πληγή στο τοπίο ή ένα πολιτιστικό μνημείο που αποτελεί μέρος της πολιτιστικής/βιομηχανικής κληρονομιάς του τόπου που πρέπει να αναδειχτεί για εκπαιδευτικούς και τουριστικούς σκοπούς.

Μέχρι τώρα, η αισθητική πτυχή της αποκατάστασης περιορίζεται στη φύτευση νεαρών δενδρυλλίων σε αναβαθμίδες. Αυτή η δραστηριότητα αποδείχθηκε ανεπιτυχής. Παρατηρήσεις σε 47 περιοχές σε όλη την Κύπρο κατέδειξαν ότι οι πιο αρμονικές αποκαταστάσεις του τοπίου έγιναν εκεί που η φύση έχει, μεν, επανέλθει, αλλά οι εξορυκτικές δραστηριότητες στο χώρο εξακολουθούν να είναι θεατές και αναγνωρίσιμες, π.χ. τα εγκαταλειμμένα μεταλλεία Πέτρας στην Καλαβασό και Βιτσάδας στην πεδιάδα της Μεσαορίας. Δεδομένου ότι σήμερα οι εγκαταλειμμένες περιοχές, κυρίως λατομεία, βρίσκονται πολύ κοντά σε κατοικημένες περιοχές, δε θεωρείται, πια, αειφόρα λύση ν’ αφήνεται απλά η Φύση να επανέλθει. Αυτή, πρέπει να βοηθηθεί με υποστηρικτικές ενέργειες.

8.3 Οικολογική αειφορία: Είναι συμβατή η προτεινόμενη λύση με την τοπική οικολογία,

υποστηρίζει τα ιθαγενή είδη και γενικά τη βιοποικιλότητα της περιοχής;

Οικολογικά αειφόρες είναι λύσεις που στηρίζουν τα είδη που φύονται φυσικά στην περιοχή, ενισχύοντας τη φυσική βιοποικιλότητα ζώων και φυτών και που συμβάλλει στις φυσικές διεργασίες. Η πρακτική της φύτευσης δενδρυλλίων πεύκης δεν είναι ιδεώδης. Τα πευκοδάση όχι μόνο δεν προσελκύουν ποικιλία πτηνοπανίδας, αλλά έχουν περισσότερες πιθανότητες να επιζήσουν αν φυτευτούν ως σπόροι και μεγαλώσουν παράλληλα με τη φυσική βλάστηση της περιοχής. Μια βοτανική μελέτη που έγινε στην Σκουριώτισσα (Άντρη Γιάγκου, 2008) κατέδειξε πως πέραν από 112 είδη χλωρίδας συνεχίζουν να φύονται στην περιοχή, παρόλη την μακρόχρονη και εκτεταμένη μεταλλευτική δραστηριότητα. Όταν δεν υπάρχει κίνδυνος κατολίσθησης ή διάβρωσης, η πρακτική των αναβαθμίδων προκαλεί μεγαλύτερη όχληση στην περιοχή. Αντίθετα, διατηρώντας τις απόκρημνες πλαγιές δημιουργούνται οικότοποι για τα αρπακτικά πουλιά. Για αυτό το λόγο, οι πλαγιές θα πρέπει να βελτιωθούν με τη φύτευση θάμνων όποτε είναι δυνατό και τη δημιουργία ανοιγμάτων για φώλιασμα.

19

8.4 Οικονομική βιωσιμότητα της αποκατάστασης: αφορά το κόστος της αποκατάστασης

αλλά και τη μείωση της αξίας της υπαίθρου. Πως επηρεάζει τις παρακείμενες περιοχές; Οι προτεινόμενες λύσεις αποκατάστασης είναι δυσκολότερες και κοστίζουν περισσότερο όταν γίνουν μετά το πέρας των εργασιών, παρά αν έχουν σχεδιαστεί εκ των προτέρων και αποτελούν μέρος των εργασιών του μεταλλείου/λατομείου. Για αυτό, κατά τις μελλοντικές αδειοδοτήσεις και/ή ανανεώσεις αδειών: - θα πρέπει να λαμβάνεται υπόψη ο μακροπρόθεσμος σχεδιασμός της χρήσης γης για

την περιοχή (Πολιτική για την Ύπαιθρο), - η αρχή αδειοδοτήσεων θα πρέπει να είναι ενήμερη γι’ αυτό το σχεδιασμό της

γενικότερης περιοχής και να καθοδηγεί τους αιτητές παρά να τους αφήνει να διαλέγουν την εύκολη λύση,

- χρειάζεται να κατατίθενται δίνονται πιο ρεαλιστικά ποσά στο ταμείο αποκατάστασης.

8.5 Εναλλακτική επαναχρησιμοποίηση: ποια καινούρια χρήση θα ήταν κατάλληλη όχι μόνο για την ίδια την περιοχή, αλλά και με βάση την πολιτική της χρήσης γης; Πρέπει να ληφθούν υπόψη όχι μόνο η αιειφόρος αποκατάσταση της περιοχής αλλά και θέματα εθνικού προγραμματισμού της ανάπτυξης και χρήσης γης.

Συνήθως υποστηρίζεται ότι νέες χρήσεις πρέπει να είναι ελκυστικές, π.χ. δάση, ανοικτά μουσεία, τουριστικές περιοχές, παρά χώροι ταφής αποβλήτων. Εντούτοις, μετά το πέρας των εργασιών σ’ ένα μεταλλείο ή ένα λατομείο, δημιουργούνται κοιλότητες που προσφέρονται ως μελλοντικοί χώροι υγειονομικής ταφής αποβλήτων και, μιας και υπάρχει μεγάλη ανάγκη τέτοιων χώρων, μήπως είναι πιο επιθυμητό να χρησιμοποιούνται για τέτοιους σκοπούς ήδη υποβαθμισμένες περιοχές παρά παρθένες φυσικές περιοχές; Η Δεξαμενή Σκέψης ΔΕΝ ενθαρρύνει τη μετατροπή της μεταλλευτικής μας κληρονομιάς σε χώρους ταφής αλλά, αν θα γίνει κάτι τέτοιο, πρέπει να ληφθούν όλα τα απαραίτητα μέτρα προφύλαξης και να τηρηθούν οι πρόνοιες της Συνθήκης του Άαρχους για διαβούλευση με το κοινό. Επιπρόσθετα, πρέπει να εξασφαλισθεί ότι αν κάποιες εκμεταλλεύσεις μετατραπούν σε αδειούχους χώρους ταφής, θα διατηρηθεί παράλληλα και αριθμός εκμεταλλεύσεων που να είναι αντιπροσωπευτικά μνημεία.

8.6 Οι απόψεις και οι προσδοκίες των τοπικών κοινοτήτων

Αν και η αποκατάσταση και επαναχρησιμοποίηση μιας περιοχής αντιμετωπίζεται θετικά από μια τοπική κοινότητα, υπάρχει περίπτωση οι κάτοικοι να μην είναι πλήρως ενημερωμένοι για όλες τις πιθανές επιλογές που έχουν ή για τις ανάγκες που πρέπει να ικανοποιήσει ο εθνικός σχεδιασμός. Γι’ αυτό το λόγο, θα πρέπει να εμπλακούν από τα αρχικά στάδια στη διαδικασία του σχεδιασμού αποκατάστασης. Με βάση τις αρχές της Σύμβασης του Άαρχους για την πρόσβαση στην περιβαλλοντική πληροφόρηση, οι πολίτες δεν πρέπει μόνο να ενημερώνονται, αλλά και να παίρνουν μέρος στις διαδικασίες λήψης αποφάσεων. Αυτό σημαίνει ότι οι αρμόδιες αρχές θα πρέπει να εξετάζουν όλες τις παραμέτρους που αναφέρθηκαν πιο πάνω με τις τοπικές κοινότητες και να μοιραστούν τις απόψεις τους με πλήρη διαφάνεια.

9. Μπορεί ένα μεταλλείο να θεωρηθεί ποτέ εγκαταλειμμένο; Βλ. τις θέσεις που εκφράζονται στην παρ.6 πιο πάνω.

20 10. Συμπεράσματα Α. Θέματα στρατηγικού σχεδιασμού 10.1 Η μεταλλευτική δραστηριότητα αλλά, κυρίως η λατομική, δεν πρέπει να εξετάζεται

αποσπασματικά, αλλά μέσα στα πλαίσια του γενικού εθνικού προγραμματισμού, εφόσον επηρεάζει γενικά τη χρήση γης και την οικοδομική ανάπτυξη. (Βλ. και ανάλογη σχετική δήλωση του ΕΤΕΚ στο τέλος του κειμένου.)

10.2 Για να είναι αειφόρο ένα λατομείο υπάρχει ανάγκη για μακροπρόθεσμο σχεδιασμό που

θα εξετάσει: - Πού βρίσκονται αποθέματα ορυκτών και ποιά η διαθεσιμότητά τους; - Τι ποσότητες θα χρησιμοποιηθούν τα επόμενα 25-50 χρόνια; - Υπάρχει συσχετισμός μεταξύ της τοποθεσίας των υλικών και των προτεινόμενων περιοχών ανάπτυξης;

- Θα συνεχίζει το μπετόν να είναι το οικοδομικό υλικό πρώτης επιλογής των Κυπρίων;

- Υπάρχει ή αναμένεται να υπάρξει κάποιο σημείο πέρα από το οποίο θα είναι πιο επωφελές να εισάγονται ορυκτά ή θα χρειαστεί να αλλάξουν οι οικοδομικές μέθοδοι, ώστε να αποφευχθεί περαιτέρω περιβαλλοντική υποβάθμιση και κοινωνικά προβλήματα;

- Πόσο μακροπρόθεσμες πρέπει να είναι οι άδειες λειτουργίας εκμεταλλεύσεων _ π.χ. 10 χρόνια ή περισσότερα _ για να εξασφαλιστεί μια περιβαλλοντικά φιλική επένδυση σε μηχανήματα και λειτουργική φιλοσοφία.

Β. Αποκατάσταση μιας περιοχής 10.3 - Η αποκατάσταση θα πρέπει να σχεδιαστεί με την έναρξη των εργασιών και πρέπει να

γίνεται με την εξέλιξή τους. - Η δενδροφύτευση με πεύκα θα πρέπει να γίνεται μόνο σε δασικές περιοχές, αλλιώς

θα γίνεται άδικα αν θα χρειάζονται πότισμα τα νεαρά δενδρύλλια. Προτείνεται η αναδάσωση με σπόρους τοπικών ειδών χλωρίδας. Δεν θα χρησιμοποιηθούν ξένα επιθετικά είδη, όπως η ακακία. Ανάμεσα στις υποχρεώσεις του διαχειριστή θα πρέπει να είναι και η δημιουργία μιας τράπεζας σπόρων χλωρίδας.

- Οι αναβαθμίδες θα πρέπει να αποφεύγονται εκτός αν γίνονται για να προστατέψουν την περιοχή από κατολισθήσεις, διαφορετικά θα πρέπει να αξιοποιούνται καλύτερα οι πλαγιές που δημιουργούνται από τις εξορυκτικές δραστηριότητες.

Γ. Ποιος πληρώνει? 10.4 Για να υποβοηθηθεί η Φύση να επανέλθει σε μια περιοχή, το κόστος αποκατάστασης

θα περιλαμβάνει κατάλληλη περίφραξη, αντιδιαβρωτικά μέτρα, έλεγχο της ροής των νερών της βροχής, όπου χρειάζεται, εκτροπή, καθώς και αποτύπωση και ερμηνεία τέτοιων περιοχών. Αυτά τα έργα μπορούν να χρηματοδοτηθούν από το Αγροτικό Σχέδιο Ανάπτυξης, 2007-2013, με αιτήσεις των ενδιαφερόμενων κοινοτήτων. Θα πρέπει, όμως, να διαπιστωθεί από τα αρμόδια τμήματα που έχουν στη κατοχή τους πληροφορίες που αφορούν το ιστορικό των δραστηριοτήτων στην περιοχή, ότι δεν έμειναν εστίες μόλυνσης. Η αρχή ‘’ο ρυπαίνων πληρώνει’’, που έχει εισαχθεί και στην κυπριακή νομοθεσία, δεν αφορά ζημιές προς άτομα/ ιδιώτες, αλλά ζημιές στη Φύση γενικά. Είναι σαφές ότι αυτό δεν ισχύει στην περίπτωση ζημιάς από εγκαταλειμμένα μεταλλεία που έπαυσαν να λειτουργούν πριν την ένταξη στην ΕΕ. Θα μπορούσε, όμως, να υποστηριχθεί ότι αν οι επιπτώσεις συνεχίζουν να είναι αισθητές μετά το 2004 ο δε ρυπαίνων είναι γνωστός, ίσως να υπάρχει υπαιτιότητα.

21 11. Προτεινόμενες δράσεις

Σχετικά με μακροπρόθεσμο προγραμματισμό 1. Να αναληφθεί μια παγκύπρια έρευνα για τη σκοπιμότητα επέκτασης των λατομικών

ζωνών, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τα σημεία που εγείρουμε στην παρ. 10.2. Στο μεταξύ τα εμπλεκόμενα τμήματα όπως Υπηρεσία Μεταλλείων, Τμήμα Γεωλογικής Επισκόπησης, Τμήμα Πολεοδομίας και Οικήσεως, Υπηρεσία Περιβάλλοντος και Τμήμα Δασών, να λάβουν υπόψη τα σημεία αυτά κατά τις κοινές συσκέψεις τους, για να επιτύχουν μεγαλύτερη σύγκληση απόψεων.

Σχετικά με τη βελτίωση των διαδικασιών 2. Οι μελλοντικές άδειες να έχουν το λιγότερο 10 χρόνια διάρκεια, ώστε να επιτρέπουν τον

κατάλληλο οικονομικό και περιβαλλοντικό σχεδιασμό. 3. Για να μπορέσει να λειτουργήσει με διαφάνεια ο θεσμός της περιβαλλοντικής

πληροφόρησης και η αρχή του ‘’ο ρυπαίνων πληρώνει’’, τα στοιχεία για όλες τις αδειοδοτήσεις που έγιναν πρέπει να είναι προσβάσιμα στο κοινό για εξέταση των όρων της άδειας, των όρων αποκατάστασης και του καθεστώτος της ιδιοκτησία της γης.

4. Δεδομένου ότι η συμμετοχή του κοινού θεωρείται σημαντικό μέρος του Ευρωπαϊκού

κεκτημένου, και δεδομένου ότι οι συμμετοχή των ιδιοκτητών γης δε μπορεί πια να περιορίζεται στην απλή ενημέρωση, πρέπει να εφαρμοστούν οι κατάλληλες τεχνικές και διαδικασίες συμμετοχής του κοινού, οι οποίες εφαρμόστηκαν ήδη από Ευρωπαϊκούς οργανισμούς. Θα πρέπει να προσφερθεί κατάρτιση σε δημόσιους λειτουργούς και άλλους εμπλεκόμενους στις διαδικασίες δημόσιων διαβουλεύσεων.

5. Να εξεταστεί η σκοπιμότητα καθιέρωσης μια ανεξάρτητης δεξαμενής σκέψης πάνω σε

τακτική βάση.

6. Τα αρμόδια τμήματα (Μεταλλείων, Γεωλογικής Επισκόπησης) να συνεργαστούν με το Τμήμα Γεωργίας για την ένταξη κατάλληλων δυνατοτήτων χρηματοδότησης έργων αποκατάστασης μέσα στο Αγροτικό Σχέδιο Ανάπτυξης και να ενημερώσουν κατάλληλα τις κοινότητες, ώστε να μπορούν να αξιοποιήσουν αυτές τις πρόνοιες.

7. Να διαμορφωθούν κατευθυντήριες οδηγίες για την αποκατάσταση και πιθανή

επανάχρηση εκμεταλλεύσεων που να λαμβάνουν υπόψη τις παραγράφους 8.3, 10.3 και τα σημεία 1, 4, 8, 9, 10 και 11 της παρούσας παραγράφου (11). Στις οδηγίες να γίνεται πρόνοια για καταγραφή/αποτύπωση (φωτογραφική και άλλη) της προτεινόμενης προς εκμετάλλευσης περιοχής, ώστε να υπάρχουν στοιχεία για συγκριτικούς σκοπούς όταν αρχίσει η αποκατάσταση.

Σχετικά με την φυσική αποκατάσταση υφιστάμενων και νέων εκμεταλλεύσεων 8. Στις περιπτώσεις της φυσικής αποκατάστασης, ο διαχειριστής της εκμετάλλευσης θα

πρέπει να προάγει τις διαδικασίες της φυσικής διαδοχής και όχι να φυτεύει δέντρα σε τεχνητές αναβαθμίδες. Να χρησιμοποιεί σπόρους από θάμνους και δέντρα τα οποία θα σταθεροποιήσουν το έδαφος και θα επιταχύνουν τη διαδοχή. Να λαξεύονται ανοίγματα στις επίπεδες πετρώδεις επιφάνειες για να ενθαρρυνθεί η φυτοκάλυψη και να καλυφθούν οι άγονες εκτάσεις με οικολογικά αποδεκτές εναλλακτικές λύσεις, αντί της μεταφοράς χώματος.

Σχετικά με τη φυσική αποκατάσταση εγκαταλειμμένων εκμεταλλεύσεων 9. Για ήδη εγκαταλειμμένες περιοχές, να αναπτυχθούν πιθανά εναλλακτικά σενάρια,

λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τα σημεία στη παράγραφο 10.4, παραπάνω.

22

10. Σε περίπτωση που δεν υπάρχει καμιά φυσική επαναβλάστηση να γίνει εξακρίβωση των αιτιών και να δοθεί ανάλογη λύση. Όπου αιτία είναι η έλλειψη επιφανειακού εδάφους, να εξεταστούν οικολογικές λύσεις όπως η τοποθέτηση λάσπης ή βινάσσας (απόβλητο από την παραγωγή κρασιού) στην επιφάνεια.

Σχετικά με την εναλλακτική χρήση 11. Να εξεταστούν χρήσεις που αξιοποιούν τη μορφολογία των εγκαταλειμμένων

εξορύξεων, όπως υπαίθρια θέατρα, υδατοδεξαμενές, ηλιακοί θερμαντήρες (δέστε φωτό στη σελ.10)

12. Να εξεταστεί ποια μεταλλεία/λατομεία μπορούν να αποτελέσουν τη βάση ενός πάρκου ή

μιας διαδρομής βιομηχανικής κληρονομιάς, στην οποία να δοθεί διεθνής προβολή, και να εξευρεθούν κατάλληλα χρηματοδοτικά προγράμματα για κάλυψη της δαπάνης. Εχοντας υπόψη την επιτυχία τέτοιων εγχειρημάτων στο εξωτερικό (δέστε φωτό στη σελ.9), εισηγούμαστε τα παρακάτω: Σκουριώτισσα, Μιτσερό, Κοκκινόγια, Κοκκινοπέζουλα, Καλαβασός, Μαυροβούνι και Λεύκα (δέστε φωτό στη σελ.11 και χάρτη στη σελίδα 12).

23

Maden ve taş ocaklarının sürdürülebilir rehabilitasyonu için oluşturulan Düşünce Grubu’nun (Think Tank) Raporu

(2008-2009)

RAPORUN ÖZET ÇEVİRİSİ Düşünce Grubu [D.G] Kıbrıs’ta terk edilmiş maden ve taş ocaklarının sürdürülebilir rehabilitasyonu için iki toplumlu araştırma çerçevesinde oluşturulmuştur ve Birleşmiş Milletler Kalkınma Programı (UNDP-Act) tarafından finanse edilmektedir. Bu sanayi kolunun ekonomik, sosyal ve çevresel hususlarını inceledikten sonra, terk edilmiş durumdaki maden ve taş ocaklarının rehabilitasyonuna odaklaşarak, sürdürülebilirliği öne çıkaracak, maden ve taş çıkarma faaliyetlerinin tarihi boyutlarını sergileyecek ve genel olarak uygulanabilir olacak önerilere ulaştıktan sonra maden ve taş çıkarma faaliyetinin işleyişi hakkında genel bir stratejinin parametrelerini tespit etme görevini üstlenmiştir. Düşünce Grubu şahsi vasıflarıyla katılan 18 kişiden oluşmaktadır. Konuyu çok yönlü olarak araştırılabilmesi için, Düşünce Grubu uluslararası alanda da alışılageldiği gibi farklı alanlardan kişiler tarafından oluşturulmuştu ve yürütme yetkisine sahip değildi. 1. Kıbrıs’ta bugün faal durumda bir maden ocağı (Skuryotissa’da) ve terk edilmiş durumda 40

maden ocağı bulunmaktadır. Ayrıca aktif ya da terk edilmiş durumda, izinli ya da izinsiz, 300 taş ocağı vardır.

2. Yıllardır terk edilmiş durumdaki bu ocakların toprak, su veya havayı muhtemelen kirletmeye

devam ediyor olması; gerek 1980 yılı öncesinde terk edilmiş ocakların rehabilitasyonu, gerekse rehabilitasyonlar için gerekli ekonomik harcamaları üstlenecek sorumlunun belirlenmesi için yasal çerçeve ya da politikanın olmaması; sonuç vermeyen bir biçimde bu alanlarda fidan dikimi yoluyla bitki örtüsü yaratmak ya da bu alanların atık alanları haline getirilmesi gibi 1980 yılı sonrasında uygulanan sınırlı rehabilitasyon biçimleri incelenmesi gereken sorunlardır.

3. Araştırma çerçevesinde oluşturulan bir çalışma grubu tarafından gerçekleştirilen

yerinde inceleme sonucunda şunlar tespit edildi:

3.1 Terk edilmiş ocakların çoğunluğu çitle kapatılmaksızın ya da uyarıcı işaretler konulmaksızın kontrolsüz bir halde bırakıldılar.

3.2 Şimdilik yegane rehabilitasyon girişiminin yapıldığı yerler fidan dikiminin yapıldığı amyant madeni ve Mavrovuni’de (Karadağ) onaylı katı atık (çöp) alanı haline getirilen ocaktır.

3.3 Aktif ocaklarda dikilen bitkilerin sulanmasını temel alan rehabilitasyon çalışmaları çok su gerektirmektedir. Bu alan terk edildikten sonra sulama yapılmadığından bitkiler kurumakta ve sonuçta rehabilitasyon çalışmaları başarısız olmaktadır.

3.4 Maden ya da taş çıkarma sürecinin başlangıç aşamalarında yerleşim birimleri ocaklardan uzaktayken, hızla gelişen yerleşim sonucunda bu yerleşim birimlerinin çoğunun ocakların sınırlarına yaklaştığı görülmektedir. Ortaya çıkan bu durum maden ve taşocağı işletmeleri ile arazi sahipleri arasında sürtüşmeler yaratarak, yayılmalara izin veren yetkili makamların tenkit edilmesine ve kınanmasına neden olmaktadır.

24 4. Süreç içinde ortaya çıktığı görülen ek sorunlar:

4.1 Bazı taş ocağı maddeleri (örneğin diyabaz) coğrafik olarak sadece ormanlık bölgelerde bulunmakta ve böylece ormanlarda taş ocağı işletmelerinin açılmasını kaçınılmaz kılmaktadır.

4.2 Geçmişte maden ve taş çıkarma faaliyetleri yakınındaki yerleşim alanlarında yaşayanlar için iş kaynağı olurken, bugün rahatsızlık kaynağı olarak görülmekte ve aynı zamanda arazi değerlerini düşürmektedir.

4.3 (Kent Planlama, Madencilik, Jeolojik İnceleme, Çevre ile) ilgili dairelerin arasında meselenin birleşik bir biçimde ele alınmasındaki eksiklik. Bu durum, diğer sonuçlarının yanı sıra, giderek daha kısa süreli taş çıkarma izinlerinin verilmesi sonucuna yol açmaktadır. Şimdi bu süre iki yıldır.

4.4 Var olan alçı ve agrega rezervlerinin yaklaşık olarak 25 yıl daha yetebileceği bilinmesine rağmen, bu maddelerin çıkarılması faaliyetlerine ilişkin uzun vadeli bir programlama yoktur.

4.5 İnşaat sanayisini teşvik etme politikası beton ve tuğla üretimi gereksinimlerini arttırmaktadır. Dolayısıyla bu malzemelerin ömürlerinin sona ermesiyle ne yapılacakları sorunu ortaya çıkmakta ve bu sorunun çözümü gereksinimi doğmaktadır.

5. Konunun geniş kapsamı göz önüne alınarak, D.G. tarafından aşağıdaki hususlarda

odaklaşma kararı alındı: • Bir maden / taş ocağı ne zaman terk edilmiş ocak olarak nitelendirilebilir? • Sürdürülebilir taş ocağı faaliyeti ne demektir? • “Kirleten öder” ilkesi uygulanabilir mi? • Mevcut ağaçlandırma politikası kabul edilebilir bir politika mıdır? • Mevcut izin verme politikası kabul edilebilir bir politika mıdır?

6. Bir maden / taş ocağı ne zaman terk edilmiş ocak olarak değerlendirilebilir? “Terk edilmiş bölge” tanımı nedir?

6.1 Yeni teknolojiler daha önceleri çıkarılması çok zor ya da çok masraflı olan cevherlerin

işlenmesini bugün olanaklı kılmıştır. Ayrıca daha önceden kullanılmış olan mamul maddelerin dünya pazarında fiyatlarının artması tekrar kullanımlarını yararlı ve sürdürülebilir bir yatırım haline getirmiştir.

6.2 D.G., maden ve taş ocaklarından kaynaklanan atıklar hakkındaki Avrupa Direktifi’nin tanımını değerlendirerek, “kapalı kullanım” («closed operation») hakkındaki referansın söz konusu durumda yardımcı olmadığı görüşündedir. Bunun için de, D.G., aşağıdaki “terk edilmiş ocak” tanımını biçimlendirdi:

‘Yaklaşık 20 yıl faal olmayan, rehabilite edilmemiş ve yeniden faaliyeti için ciddi bir yatırımcının olmadığı bir bölge”

şeklindeki maden ocağı için yukarıdaki tanım

‘hammaddelerin fiyatlarının en azından iki dönemi için faal olmamaya devam eden’

şeklindeki bir ekle genişletilebilir.

Her dönem yedi yıl civarında olarak değerlendirilmektedir; yatırım ilgisinin olmaması ön araştırma (prospecting) için başvuru yapılmaması ile kanıtlanmaktadır.

6.3 Gelecekte tekrar kullanılabilecek bir bölgeye hangi tip rehabilitasyonun uygun olup olmadığı incelendi. Eğer rehabilitasyon, bir bölgenin sadece ekonomik yaşayabilirliğinin sonunda yer alan bir faaliyet olarak değil de, devam eden bir süreç olarak görülüyorsa, doğal işlemlerle paralel olarak yapılan rehabilitasyonun gelecekte bölgeye ulaşıma ve bölgenin kullanılmasına izin vermesi için, uygun düzenlemelerin yapılması mümkündür.

25 7. Sürdürülebilir rehabilitasyon için parametreler

Tartışma güvenlik, sağlık, estetik, ekolojik sürdürülebilirlik, ekonomik yaşayabilirlik ve alternatif kullanımlar parametreleri üzerinde yoğunlaştı.

8. Sürdürülebilirlik parametrelerinin analizi

8.1 Güvenlik ve Sağlık: Toprakta, havada, suda incelenmesi, yok edilmesi veya sınırlandırılması gereken kirlenme var mı?

Bu en önemli parametredir. Ancak, bazı sorular yanıtsız ve şimdiye kadar alınan bazı önlemler münferit kalmaktadır. Yamaçların olası erozyonu ve açıkta olan ya da kontrolsüz gömülmüş olan (çoğunlukla asitli akış, bataklık halindeki gölcük biçiminde) toksik maddeler güvenlik konularını gündeme getirmektedir.

80’li yılların öncesinde taş ve maden ocakları sahipleri (Skuryotissa’da, Amiandos’ta, Lefke’de olduğu gibi) ocaklardaki faaliyetlerin artlarında bıraktıkları zararın rehabilitasyon bedelini karşılamakla yükümlü değillerdi. Şimdi yerel makamlar, eğer dış finansman yoksa bu konuyla ilgilenmeyi reddetmektedirler. Skuryotissa maden ocaklarında madencilik faaliyetinin yeniden başlaması rehabilitasyon bedelini karşılayacak gelirleri yarattı. Amiandos’taki rehabilitasyon Maden Rehabilitasyon Fonu tarafından finanse edilmektedir. Lefke’de ise her hangi bir rehabilitasyon çabası ortaya konulmadı. Bilindiği gibi, (ABD’de kayıtlı) “Cyprus Mines Corporation” şirketi 1974’ten sonra Kıbrıs’ı terk etti ve şirket aleyhine önlemler alınmadı.

8.2 Estetik: Terk edilmiş ocakların yörede açık bir yarayı mı yoksa yörenin kültürel / sanayi mirasının bir bölümünü oluşturan, turistik ve eğitim amaçlı olarak değerlendirilmesi gereken kültürel anıtı mı teşkil ettiği konusunda fikir ayrılığı mevcuttur.

Şu ana kadar, rehabilitasyonun estetik yanı basamaklara yeni fidanların dikilmesiyle sınırlı kalmaktadır. Bu faaliyetin başarısız olduğu görülmüştür.

Tüm Kıbrıs’ta 47 bölgede yapılan gözlemler, en uyumlu yöre rehabilitasyonlarının bir yandan doğanın tekrar eski haline döndüğü ama diğer yandan yörede maden / taş çıkarma faaliyetlerinin belirgin ve görünür olmaya devam ettiği yerlerde yapıldığını göstermiştir. Örneğin Kalavasos’taki terk edilmiş Petra ve Mesarya’daki Vitsada alçıtaşı ocakları. Bugün terk edilmiş özellikle taş ocağı bölgelerinin yerleşim bölgelerine çok yakın olduğu göz önüne alındığında, sadece doğanın eski haline dönmeye bırakılması artık sürdürülebilir çözüm olarak görülmemektedir. Destekleyici faaliyetlerle buna yardımcı olunması gerekir.

8.3 Ekolojik sürdürülebilirlik: Önerilen çözüm yerel ekoloji ile uyumlu mudur, bölgenin yerli türlerini ve genel olarak biyoçeşitliliğini desteklemekte midir?

Ekolojik sürdürülebilir çözümler bölgede doğal olarak yetişen türleri destekleyen, doğal hayvan ve bitki biyoçeşitliliğini güçlendirerek doğal süreçlere katkıda bulunan çözümlerdir. Çam fidanları dikilmesi uygulaması ideal olan uygulama değildir. Çam ormanları sadece kuş faunası çeşitliliğini çekmekle kalmamakta, tohum olarak ekilip bölgenin doğal bitki örtüsüyle paralel olarak büyürlerse yaşama olasılıkları daha fazla olmaktadır. Skuryotissa’da yapılan bir botanik araştırma (Andri Yangu, 2008) uzun yıllar boyunca yaygın olarak yapılan madencilik faaliyetlerine rağmen, bölgede 112 flora türünün yetiştiğini göstermiştir. Erozyon veya heyelan tehlikesinin olmadığı yerlerde basamaklar uygulamasının yaşama geçirilmesi bölgede daha büyük rahatsızlığa yol açmaktadır. Basamaklar uygulaması yerine, ani yamaçlar korunursa yırtıcı kuşlar için habitatlar yaratılması sağlanacaktır. Bu nedenle yuva yapmak için uygun olan yamaçlarda çalıların yetişmesi olumlu sonuçlar verecektir.

26

8.4 Rehabilitasyonun ekonomik yaşayabilirliği: Hem rehabilitasyon bedeli ile, hem de kırsal alanların değerinin azalmasıyla ilgilidir. Yakın bölgeler nasıl etkilenmektedir?

Önerilen rehabilitasyon çözümleri çalışmaların tamamlanmasından sonra uygulandığında daha zor ve daha masraflıdır. Bu nedenle daha önceden planlanmalı ve maden / taş ocağının çalışmalarının bir bölümünü teşkil etmelidir. Bu nedenle gelecekte izin verilirken ve / veya izinler uzatılırken şunlar yapılmalıdır:

o Bölge için uzun vadeli arazi kullanım planlaması dikkate alınmalıdır. (Kırsal alanlar politikası)

o İzinleri veren makam genel olarak bölgesel planlama hakkında bilgilendirilmiş olmalıdır ve başvuru sahiplerini kolay çözümleri seçmeleri için bırakma yerine, onları yönlendirmelidir.

o Rehabilitasyon Fonu’na daha gerçekçi miktarların tahsis edilmesi gerekmektedir.

8.5 Alternatif tekrar kullanım: Sadece aynı bölge için değil, arazi kullanımı politikası temelinde de hangi yeni kullanım uygun olacaktır? Sadece bölgenin sürdürülebilir rehabilitasyonu değil, toprağın kullanımına ve geliştirilmesine yönelik ulusal programlama konuları da dikkate alınmalıdır.

Çoğunlukla yeni kullanımların -örneğin atık gömme alanları yerine ormanlar, açık müzeler, turistik bölgeler gibi- cazibe yaratması gerektiği savunulmaktadır. Bu nedenle bir maden ya da taş ocağında çalışmaların sonuçlanmasından sonra gelecekte atıkların sağlıklı gömülebilmesi için çukurluklar yaratılmaktadır. Böylesi yerlere büyük gereksinim olduğu göz önüne alındığında, böylesi amaçlar için acaba bakir bölgeler yerine zaten değeri düşmüş olan bölgelerin kullanılması mı daha uygundur? Düşünce Grubu maden ocakları mirasımızın atık gömme alanları haline dönüştürülmesini teşvik etmemektedir, ama böylesi bir şey olursa, gerekli tüm koruma önlemleri alınmalıdır ve Aarhus Sözleşmesi’nin halkın katılımı ile ilgili hususlarına uyulmalıdır. Ayrıca bazı ocaklar izinli atık gömme alanlarına dönüştürülüyorsa, buna paralel olarak temsil eder nitelikteki bazı ocakların da anıtsal anlamda korunması sağlanmalıdır.

8.6 Bölge halkının görüşleri ve beklentileri

Bir bölgenin rehabilitasyonu ve tekrar kullanımı bölge halkı tarafından olumlu karşılanıyorsa da, yöre sakinlerinin sahip oldukları bütün olası seçenekler ya da ulusal planlamanın karşılaması gereken gereksinimler hakkında tam olarak bilgilendirilmiş olmamaları ihtimali mevcuttur. Bu nedenle, rehabilitasyonun planlanması sürecine ilk aşamalardan itibaren katılmaları gereklidir. Çevresel konularda bilgiye erişim hakkını öngören Aarhus Sözleşmesi ilkeleri temelinde, yurttaşlar sadece bilgilendirilmekle kalmamalı, karar verme süreçlerinde de yer almalıdırlar. Bunun için de yetkili makamların yukarıda değinilen bütün parametreleri bölge sakinleri ile birlikte değerlendirmeleri ve tam şeffaflıkla onların görüşlerini paylaşmaları gerekmektir.

9. Bir maden ocağının hiçbir zaman terk edilmiş olarak değerlendirilmemesi söz konusu

olabilir mi? Bkz. Daha yukarıdaki 6. paragrafta ifade edilen tezler.

10. Sonuçlar Α. Stratejik planlama konuları

10.1 Genel olarak arazinin kullanımını ve inşaat sektörünün kalkınmasını etkilediğine göre, maden çıkarma faaliyetleri ve özellikle de taş ocağı faaliyetleri parça, parça değil, genel ulusal planlama çerçevesi içerisinde değerlendirilmelidir. (Bkz. Kıbrıs Bilim ve Teknik Odası’nın ilgili açıklaması metnin sonundadır)

27 10.2 Bir taş ocağının sürdürülebilir olması için aşağıdaki hususları dikkate alacak uzun vadeli

bir planlamanın yapılması gerekmektedir: o Maden rezervleri nerede bulunmaktadır ve kullanılabilirlik durumları nedir? o Gelecek 25–50 yılda ne kadar miktarı kullanılacaktır? o Hammaddelerin yeri ile önerilen kalkınma bölgeleri arasında bağlantı var mıdır? o Beton Kıbrıs’ta tercih edilen inşaat malzemesi olmaya devam edecek midir? o Madenlerin ithalinin daha yararlı hale geleceği bir nokta var mı ya da böyle bir

noktanın olması bekleniyor mu? Ya da çevreye daha fazla zarar vermekten ve sosyal sorunlardan kaçınmak için inşaat yöntemlerinin değişmesi gerekecek mi?

o Makinelerde ve faaliyet anlayışında çevreye dost bir yatırımın sağlanması için ocakların faaliyet izinleri ne kadar uzun vadeli olmalıdır? Örneğin 10 yıl ya da daha fazla bir süre gibi.

Β. Bir bölgenin rehabilitasyonu

10.3 o Çalışmaların başlamasıyla rehabilitasyonun planlanması ve çalışmaların

ilerlemesiyle de rehabilitasyonun yapılması gerekir. o Çam fidanlarıyla ağaçlandırma sadece ormanlık bölgelerde yapılmalıdır, yoksa eğer

yeni fidanların sulanması gerekecekse, ağaçlandırma boşuna yapılmış olacaktır. Ağaçlandırma için yerel flora türlerinin tohumlarının ekilmesi önerilmektedir. Akasya gibi, yabancı saldırgan türler kullanılmamalıdır. Bir flora tohum bankası oluşturulması da, ocağı işletenin yükümlülükleri arasında yer almalıdır.

o Eğer bölgeyi erozyon veya heyelanlardan korumak amacıyla yapılmıyorsa, basamaklardan kaçınılmalıdır. Maden / taş çıkarma faaliyetleriyle oluşan yamaçlar daha iyi değerlendirilmelidir.

C. Kim ödüyor?

10.4 Bir bölgede doğanın tekrar eski haline dönebilmesinde yardımcı olmak için rehabilitasyon masrafları gerekli çit çekmeyi, erozyona karşı önlemleri, yağmur sularının akışının kontrolünü –gerektiği yerde– yatağının değiştirilmesini ve böylesi bölgelerin mevcut durumunun saptanmasını ve dokümantasyonunu içermelidir. Bu çalışmalar ilgili bölge sakinlerinin başvurularıyla 2007–2013 Tarım Kalkınma Planı tarafından finanse edilebilir. Ancak bunun için, kirlilik kaynaklarının kalmadığının bölgedeki faaliyetlerin tarihçesi ile ilgili bilgilere sahip yetkili daireler tarafından tespit edilmesi gerekir. Kıbrıs yasalarında da yer alan “Kirleten öder” ilkesi bireylere / fertlere yönelik zararlarla değil, genel olarak doğaya verilen zararla ilgilidir. AB’ye giriş öncesinde faaliyetine son vermiş olan terk edilmiş maden ocakları için bunun geçerli olmadığı açıkça bellidir. Ancak etkiler 2004’ten sonra da hissedilir olmaya devam ediyorsa ve kirleten biliniyorsa sorumluluğun üstlenilmesi istenebilir.

11. Önerilen faaliyetler

Uzun vadeli programlamayla ilgili olarak 1. Taş ocağı alanlarının genişletilmesi düşüncelerine ilişkin olarak, paragraf 10.2’de

değinilen noktalar göz önüne alınarak, Kıbrıs çapında bir araştırma gerçekleştirilmelidir. Bu arada Maden, Jeoloji, Kentsel Planlama, Çevre ve Orman Daireleri gibi ilgili taraflar ortak toplantılarda daha büyük oranda görüş birliğini sağlayabilmek için bu noktaları dikkate almalıdırlar.

28

İşlemlerin iyileştirilmesiyle ilgili olarak 2. Uygun ekonomik ve çevresel planlamaya izin vermeleri için, gelecekte verilecek izinlerin

süresi en azından on yıl olmalıdır. 3. Çevre ile ilgili konularda bilgilendirme kurumunun ve “Kirleten öder” ilkesinin şeffaf bir

biçimde işleyişinin sağlanması için izin, rehabilitasyon ve yer sahipliği statüsünün koşullarının halk tarafından değerlendirilebilmesini olanaklı kılmaya yönelik olarak, verilen bütün izinler hakkındaki bilgilere halk ulaşabilmelidir.

4. Halkın katılımı Avrupa müktesebatının önemli kısmı olarak görüldüğüne ve arazi sahiplerinin katılımı sıradan bilgilendirme ile sınırlandırılamayacağına göre, halkın katılımı için şimdiden Avrupa organizasyonları tarafından uygulanmış olan uygun teknikler ve işlemler uygulanmalıdır. Kamu görevlilerine ve halkla görüşme süreçlerindeki katılımcılara gerekli eğitim sunulmalıdır.

5. Sürekli bir temelde faaliyet gösterecek bağımsız bir Düşünce Grubu’nun oluşturulması düşüncesi değerlendirilmelidir.

6. Rehabilitasyon çalışmalarının finansı için uygun olanakların Tarım Kalkınma Planı içerisinde yer alması ve bu olanakların değerlendirilebilmesi için (Maden, Jeoloji gibi) yetkili daireler Tarım Dairesi ile işbirliği içerisinde olmalıdır.

7. Ocakların rehabilitasyonu ve olası tekrar kullanımı için 8.3, 10.3 paragraflarını ve bu paragrafın 1., 4., 8.., 9., 10. ve 11. noktalarını dikkate alan yönlendirici direktifler oluşturulmalıdır. Rehabilitasyon başladığında karşılaştırma yapmak için gerekli bilgilerin olması amacıyla, önerilen ocak bölgesinin (fotoğraflarla ve başka biçimlerde) kaydına / dokümantasyonuna ilişkin hususlar direktiflerde öngörülmelidir.

Mevcut ve yeni ocakların doğal rehabilitasyonu ile ilgili olarak

8. Doğal rehabilitasyon durumlarında, taş / maden ocağını işleten, yapay basamakları ağaçlandırmayı değil, doğal olarak yerini alma işlemlerini geliştirmelidir. Düz taş yüzeylerde bitki örtüsünün gelişebilmesi için yarıklar açılmalı ve verimsiz alanlarda, toprak taşıma yerine, ekolojik olarak kabul edilir alternatif çözümler uygulanmalıdır.

Terk edilmiş ocakların doğal rehabilitasyonu ile ilgili olarak 9. Şimdiden terk edilmiş durumdaki bölgelerde, yukarıdaki 10.4 paragrafında yer alan

noktalar dikkate alınarak, alternatif senaryolar yaşama geçirilebilir. 10. Yeniden her hangi bir doğal bitki örtüsü gelişimi yoksa nedenler belirlenerek, uygun

çözüm uygulanmalıdır. Sebep eğer toprak katmanının olmaması ise, bu yerlerde çamur ya da cibre (şarap üretiminden çıkan atık) yerleştirme gibi ekolojik çözümler gözden geçirilmelidir.

Alternatif kullanımla ilgili olarak 11. Terk edilmiş ocakların morfolojik yapısını değerlendirebilecek, açık hava tiyatroları, su

depoları, güneş enerjisi ile ısıtıcı sistemler gibi (bakınız sayfa 10’daki fotoğraf) kullanım biçimleri gözden geçirilmelidir.

12. Hangi taş / maden ocaklarının bir parkın ya da uluslararası düzeyde tanıtılacak bir sanayi mirası güzergâhının temelini teşkil edebileceği araştırılmalıdır ve harcamaların karşılanması için uygun finansman programları bulunmalıdır. Yurt dışında (bakınız sayfa 11’deki fotoğraf ve sayfa 12’deki harita) böylesi girişimlerin başarılarını göz önüne alarak şu yöreleri öneriyoruz: Skuryotissa, Mirsero, Kokkinoya, Kokkinopezula, Kalavasos, Mavrovuni (Karadağ) ve Lefke (bakınız sayfa 11’deki fotoğraf ve sayfa 12’deki harita).

29 Bibliography

1. Chatzistathi A. and Ispikoudi I., ‘Προστασία της Φύσης και Αρχιτεκτονική Τοπίου’ (Nature Protection and Landscape Architecture), Papasotiriou Publishing, Thessaloniki, 1992.

2. European Commission, Directive on Environmental Liability, no. 2004/34/EC 3. European Commission, Directive on Waste Management, 2006/21/EC 4. Morriseau E., Presentation to 2nd Think Tank meeting, ‘Strategy for Sustainable

Quarrying and Mining in Cyprus, 2001-2025, Key findings, Key Issues, A Way forward’, July, 2008

5. Orountiotis C., Report to 4th Think Tank meeting, December, 2008 5. Symons N., Presentation to 4th Think Tank Meeting on Biodiversity issues connected to

site rehabilitation, December, 2008. 6. United Nations, ‘The Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in

Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters’, June, 1998 7. Wardell Armstrong & A.L.A. Planning Partnership, ‘Strategy for Sustainable Quarrying and

Mining Development of Cyprus 2001-2025’, May, 2004. 8. Yiangou A., ‘Η χλωρίδα της Μεταλλευτικής Μίσθωσης της Σκουριώτισσας’ (The flora at

Skouriotissa), July, 2008 For further info please apply to the Laona Foundation, tel 25 358632, fax 25 352657, e-mail: director@terracypria.org

29 Bibliography

1. Chatzistathi A. and Ispikoudi I., ‘Προστασία της Φύσης και Αρχιτεκτονική Τοπίου’ (Nature Protection and Landscape Architecture), Papasotiriou Publishing, Thessaloniki, 1992.

2. European Commission, Directive on Environmental Liability, no. 2004/34/EC 3. European Commission, Directive on Waste Management, 2006/21/EC 4. Morriseau E., Presentation to 2nd Think Tank meeting, ‘Strategy for Sustainable

Quarrying and Mining in Cyprus, 2001-2025, Key findings, Key Issues, A Way forward’, July, 2008

5. Orountiotis C., Report to 4th Think Tank meeting, December, 2008 5. Symons N., Presentation to 4th Think Tank Meeting on Biodiversity issues connected to

site rehabilitation, December, 2008. 6. United Nations, ‘The Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in

Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters’, June, 1998 7. Wardell Armstrong & A.L.A. Planning Partnership, ‘Strategy for Sustainable Quarrying and

Mining Development of Cyprus 2001-2025’, May, 2004. 8. Yiangou A., ‘Η χλωρίδα της Μεταλλευτικής Μίσθωσης της Σκουριώτισσας’ (The flora at

Skouriotissa), July, 2008 For further info please apply to the Laona Foundation, tel 25 358632, fax 25 352657, e-mail: director@terracypria.org

L

Laona\Mines project\Final Report of Mines and Quarries 27 7 09

AONA FOUNDATION

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No District Owner Location Material Operational status Restoration status Environmental issues Potential uses

1 Kyrenia-Q Road Works Department Larnaka tis Lapithou Sandy gravels Abandoned No restoration Unstable slopes Terraces/Replanting2 Kyrenia-Q Road Works Department Kirni Chalk and Lavas Abandoned No restoration Steep slopes Recreation field3 Kyrenia-Q Road Works Department Pentadactylos Limestone Abandoned No restoration Steep slopes Terraces/Replanting4 Kyrenia-Q Private Sykhari Limestone Abandoned No restoration Rockslides Agricultural activities5 Famagusta-Q Road Works Department Vitsada Soil Abandoned Under restoration Alteration of Landscape Natural trail/education6 Famagusta-Q Private Gypsum Gypsum Abandoned No restoration None Agricultural activities7 Trikomo-Q Road Works Department Komi Kepir Limestone Abandoned Under restoration Steep slopes Terraces/Replanting8 Trikomo-Q Private Kilanemos Building stone/Calcarenite Abandoned No restoration None Amphitheatre9 Morphou-Q Private Syrianoxori Sandy gravels Abandoned No restoration Sea water intrusion Wind park/Photovoltaic site

10 Nicosia-Q Symeon Aggregates Ltd Astromeritis Sandy gravels Abandoned Under restoration Dumping site Agricultural activities10 Nicosia-Q Symeon Quarries Ltd Astromeritis Sandy gravels Abandoned Under restoration Dumping site Agricultural activities11 Morphou-M Cyprus Mining Corporation Lefka/Mavrovouni Copper and Iron Pyrite Abandoned No restoration Dumping site/contamination Mining heritage site12 Nicosia-Q Latouros Quarries Ltd Ayios Sozomenos Calcarenite and sand Operational Under restoration Large pit/altered Landscape Replanting13 Nicosia-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Apliki Copper and Iron Pyrite Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/acidic water Education touristic site

14 Nicosia-M Hellenic Copper Mines Ltd Katydata (Skouriotissa) Copper and Iron Pyrite Operational Under restoration Waste piles Mining heritage site15 Paphos-Q Poullas Tsadiotis Ltd Androlikou Reef limestone Operational No restoration Dust and noise Replanting/Protect

16 Paphos-M Cyprus Sulpur and Copper Corporation Evloimeni Copper and Iron Pyrite Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/acidic water None16 Paphos-M Cyprus Sulpur and Copper Corporation Kinousa Copper and Iron Pyrite Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/acidic water None17 Nicosia-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd M Memi Copper and Pyrite Abandoned No restoration Waste piles Wetland17 Nicosia-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd M Alestos Copper Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/acidic water Reforestation18 Nicosia-Q Oryctaco Ltd Kato Moni Bentonite Operational No restoration Degraded Landscape Landfill18 Nicosia-Q Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Kato Moni Bentonite Abandoned No restoration Degraded Landscape Landfill19 Nicosia-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Agrokipia Iron Pytite Abandoned Some restoration Waste piles/acidic water Mining heritage site19 Nicosia-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Kokkinogia Copper Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/acidic water Mining heritage site19 Nicosia-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd M Kokkinopezoula Copper and Gold Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/acidic water Mining heritage site20 Nicosia-Q Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Q Mitsero Reef limestone Operational Under restoration Dust and noise Replanting21 Nicosia-Q Farmakas Quarries Ltd Politiko Diabase Abandoned No restoration Next to Natura 2000 site Wetland/reforestation

22 Nicosia-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Kampia Copper and Iron Pyrite Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/acidic water Mining heritage site23 Nicosia-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Mathiatis North Copper and Iron Pyrite Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/acidic water Education touristic site

23 Nicosia-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Mathiatis South Copper and Iron Pyrite Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/acidic water Education touristic site

23 Nicosia-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Sia Copper and Iron Pyrite Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/acidic water Education touristic site24 Nicosia-Q Sia Quarries Ltd Sia Diabase Operational Under restoration Dust Leisure facilities25 Larnaca-M Berdy Troulloi Copper and Gold Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/UN Buffer zone None25 Larnaca-Q Umber Corporation Of Larnaca Ltd Troulloi Umber Abandoned Under restoration Dumping paint waste Wetland26 Larnaca-Q Domokos Ltd Oroklini Calcarenite and sand Operational Under restoration Degraded Landscape Wetland/park27 Larnaca-Q Sand Works Ltd Ormidia Sandy gravels Abandoned No restoration Dumping place Reforestetion28 Famagusta-Q Mouzouri Brothers Ltd Xylofagou Reef limestone Operational No restoration Dust and noise Reforestetion28 Famagusta-Q Kaos Quarries Comp. Ltd Xylofagou Reef limestone Operational Under restoration Dust and noise Reforestetion28 Famagusta-Q Iacovou Brothers Ltd Xylofagou Reef limestone Operational Under restoration Dust and noise Reforestetion29 Paphos-M Cyprus Sulpur and Copper Corporation Vretsia Copper and Iron Pyrite Abandoned No restoration Waste piles/acidic water None30 Nicosia-Q Farmakas Quarries Ltd Farmakas Diabase Operational Under restoration Dust and noise Reforestation31 Larnaca-Q Pyrga Quarries Ltd [J. & P. Ltd] Pyrga Diabase Operational Under restoration Dust and noise Stadium32 Paphos-Q Peletico Ltd Kidasi Bentonite Operational Under restoration Altered landscape Natural trail33 Limassol-Q Elebem Ltd Praskio/Audimou Calcarenite Abandoned No restoration None None34 Limassol-Q Skyramont Quarries Ltd Pareklisha Diabase Operational No restoration Dust/Large pit Replantimg34 Limassol-Q Medcon Construction Ltd Pareklisha Diabase Operational No restoration Dust/Large pit Replantimg35 Limassol-Q Peletico Ltd Monagroulli Bentonite Abandoned Restoration Completed Degradation of landscape Replanting36 Limassol-Q Cyprus Cement Company Ltd Pendakomo Massive chalk Operational Under restoration Dust Replantimg36 Limassol-Q Cyprus Cement Company Ltd Ag.Georgios Massive chalk Operational Under restoration Dust/Altered landscape None36 Limassol-Q Vasilicos Cement Works Ltd Pendakomo Massive chalk Operational Under restoration Dust Replantimg37 Larnaca-Q Cyprus Cement Company Ltd Mari Marl Operational No restoration Alteration of Landscape Terraces/Replanting37 Larnaca-Q Vasilicos Cement Works Mari Marl Operational No restoration Alteration of Landscape Replanting38 Larnaka-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Kalavasos (Petra) Copper and Iron Pyrite Abandoned No restoration Waste piles None38 Larnaka-M Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Kalavasos (Mousoulos) Copper and Iron Pyrite Abandoned Under restoration Soil/water pollution Tourist attraction site39 Larnaca-Q Cyprus Cement Company Ltd Tockni Gypsum Abandoned Under restoration Poor revegetation Open theatre39 Larnaka-Q Hellenic Mining Company Ltd Psematismenos Gypsum Abandoned No restoration Dumping place Clean up/Park40 Larnaka-Q Latouros Quarries Ltd Zigi Sandy gravels Abandoned No restoration Destroyed beach None

Q: Quarry For colour coding see previous pageM: Mine

Appendix: List of abandoned/operational mines and quarries visited throughout Cyprus

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