Planning RES Projects in Exhausted Surface Lignite Mines—Challenges and Solutions

In the context of the complete phase-out of lignite-fired power plants and the corresponding surface mines, the central priority is to ensure a fair development transition for the lignite mining areas. In the context of the installation of renewable energy system projects in the surface lignite mines of Western Macedonia, this paper aims to analyze the challenges for developing photovoltaic projects in areas with different characteristics and to propose solutions for selecting suitable areas, based on corresponding analysis. The investigated parameters cover a wide range of spatial criteria. The results contribute to a pragmatic transition to green energy generation involving a circular economy and sustainable development.

Geotechnical Engineering Perspectives: Challenges and Solutions in the Transition to a Post-Lignite Era

Coal and lignite regions are on the way to reinvent themselves. In this work, three aspects related to the reclamation and exploitation of these mining areas are analyzed, focusing on the role of geotechnical engineering. Firstly, the slope stability of lignite excavations is examined during the water filling reclamation practice. Secondly, the effect of extreme rainfall is studied on the slope stability of abandoned lignite mines. Finally, aspects of the potential reclamation of a waste dump by a highway or a railroad are investigated. Overall, the three studies underline the importance of geotechnical engineering in the transition to a post-lignite era.

Spoil heaps in Safonovo, Smolensk region: changes in vegetation cover 20 years later

Biodiversity conservation is one of the most important problems facing contemporary botany. These issues are especially relevant in anthropogenic areas with disturbed or even destroyed vegetation cover. For the first time we studied overgrowth of spoil heaps near lignite mines in the town of Safonovo, Smolensk oblast. Geobotanical descriptions were carried out in the territory of the three spoil heaps, 88 species of vascular plants were found, among which meadow and meadow-forest species prevail, and six species are invasive for Smolensk oblast.

Sustainable Rehabilitation of Surface Coal Mining Areas: The Case of Greek Lignite Mines

Surface lignite mines of the Balkan Peninsula face growing pressure due to the CO2 emissions reduction initiatives, rapidly increasing renewable-power capacity, and cheap natural gas. In this frame, the development of a modern mine land rehabilitation strategy is considered as a prerequisite for mitigating the social and economic impacts for the local communities. In the case of western Macedonia lignite mines, these prospects are investigated based on a PEST (political, economic, social, technological) analysis of seven alternative land uses. Urban (industrial) development, green houses, and industrial heritage parks are considered as the most appropriate land uses for mitigating the socioeconomic impacts due to the loss of employments. For the land uses occupying large areas (i.e., agriculture, forestry, livestock farming, and photovoltaic parks), an optimisation algorithm is proposed for determining the mix of land uses that maximise revenue, equity, and natural conservation and minimise investment. The algorithm was applied using the opinions of 10 experts, who were involved in mine land reclamation projects carried out in the western Macedonia region in the recent past. According to the results obtained, photovoltaic parks are rated as a more attractive investment than extensive agriculture, as regards the anticipation of revenues, while livestock farming and forests are necessary to safeguard the ecosystem’s functions.