Limestone quarry restoration

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Objective

The aim was to create a non-traditional natural space, enjoyed by the Čebín community, which contributes to the conservation and interpretation of local natural phenomena. The closed mine thus became a significant component of the landscape – a haven not only for common plants and animals, but also a favourite place for wanderers and locals alike.

Context

The limestone quarry, which opened in sixties with mining ceasing in 1971, is situated in the northern part of the region. Since then, spreading tree species as well as spruces, beeches and hornbeams, rapidly colonised the bottom of the quarry and adjacent slopes.

At the end of 1990s, Českomoravský cement decided not to recommence mining in the quarry and converted the whole site into a habitat for rare limestone flora as well as providing access to the general public. This led to a unique project, which clearly demonstrates how humans, nature and landscape are able to find harmony on a site originally used for limestone mining.

Solutions

The project met two different objectives: (1) to increase the natural importance of an unusual rocky habitat with shallow soils on a limestone bedrock and (2) to design a completely new and attractive quarry entrance and bottom. To achieve these purposes, the following actions were adopted:

Mowing of grassland around the quarry
Regulation of tree species composition
Restoration of nature-like plant communities
Removal of rubbish from the quarry bottom and the surrounding area
Removal of asphalt-paved road
Design of the quarry entrance

Results

The Dálka quarry near Čebín demonstrates that many surface mines can, over certain timeframe, transform via natural processes into interesting sites attracting people. Rare plant and animal species, which would otherwise have little chance for survival in an area intensively used for farming and forestry, found here a new home. The project showed that there is a relatively cheap and at the same time environmentally optimal method of quarry revitalisation based on natural processes.