Until now, the Michendorf opencast mine belonged to BZR, a company that extracted gravel sand from the approximately 62-hectare site south of Potsdam near Berlin. REMEX first contacted BZR a good decade ago, with the aim at that time of establishing a partnership at the site. Stefan Roll, Regional Manager of the REMEX Berlin-Brandenburg region, has been involved in the discussions throughout all phases – right up to the present day. And with success. This autumn, an agreement was reached that is beneficial to both sides.
Investing in the future
In July, REMEX acquired the entire opencast mine site, including all mining permits. This also includes all planning permissions. Among other things, the approval process for a DK-I landfill site planned on the site was transferred to REMEX. With an investment of around €60 million, REMEX will continue to develop the Michendorf opencast mine in the coming years. The company is focusing on two areas. On the one hand, the remaining gravel sand deposits are to be extracted and, on the other hand, the excavated areas are to be put to good use.
The planned DK I landfill site is intended for the disposal of non-recyclable mineral waste such as soil, construction waste and road rubble
“I am delighted that REMEX is now continuing the site’s operation. Thanks to the planned development of the opencast mine, local construction companies continue to benefit today from the supply of primary building materials and will benefit tomorrow from newly created disposal options.”
Stefan Roll, Head of REMEX region Berlin-Brandenburg
Continuation of sand/gravel extraction
Currently, the site, located 15 km south of Potsdam, still has a sand and gravel extraction volume of around 2.2 million tonnes. The infrastructure facilities required for the continued operation of the opencast mine were taken over by REMEX. This means that the extracted materials can continue to be supplied to the local construction industry as primary building materials. At the same time, REMEX is pushing ahead with the approval process prepared by BZR for the construction and operation of a DK I landfill site. The necessary planning approval procedure was initiated several years ago.
Reorientation of the site as a landfill
The class 1 landfill is planned for the already excavated opencast mining areas, where extensive cavities have been created during their use. The space offers the opportunity for the realisation of 2.6 million m³ of landfill capacities. Including the mining areas currently still in operation, the total potentially exploitable landfill volume amounts to around 5.3 million m³. With a projected annual fill volume of around 200,000 tonnes, this results in a landfill life of 24 years, potentially extended to 48 years at a later stage.
Protection of resources and active nature conservation
Excavations such as the Michendorf opencast mine are ideal locations for landfills, as the infrastructure created for the extraction of sand and gravel provides the base for the operation of a landfill. In addition, the cavities that have formed over time must be filled in order to create a basis for subsequent recultivation. If otherwise unusable mineral waste such as excavated soil and construction waste is used for backfilling, no natural resources need to be consumed.
Waste disposal security for the greater Berlin/Brandenburg area
Around 8.5 million tonnes of construction waste are generated in Berlin and Brandenburg every year, while at the same time there is a shortage of suitable landfill capacity. The Brandenburg State Office for the Environment (LfU) believes that disposal security can only be guaranteed by commissioning new landfill sites and has confirmed the need for new landfills of class 1. Located in Potsdam-Mittelmark and in close proximity to the A 10 and A 115 motorways, the DK I landfill planned in Michendorf can provide this urgently needed landfill space – to the benefit of the construction industry.
Find out more on our regional website how REMEX is sustainably strengthening the supply of raw materials and waste disposal capacities in the Berlin-Brandenburg region. remex-potsdam.de
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