MindMontan

The aim of the MindMontan project is to use innovative technologies to reduce the impact of mining on the environment both regionally and globally, to expand regional structures, to minimize social conflicts and to strengthen social development by actively involving the public.

Using novel water treatment processes, the leachate containing pollutants that accumulates at the Hammerberg rinsing dump site in Freiberg is to be treated cost-effectively and over the long term, the raw material water is to be restored to an ecologically and chemically good condition, and the surrounding area is thus to be decontaminated. The planned modular design of the water treatment plant, consisting of chemical and biological processes, should allow transfer to similar mining-affected sites worldwide and thus be competitive on the world market. The integration of a solar module (donated by the company Meyer Burger, Freiberg) for independent energy generation for the operation of the plant will further strengthen the sustainable and innovative concept of the technology.

By developing and testing the process on a pilot scale at the Hammerberg site with the involvement of public authorities, economic and social development in the region is to be strengthened. At the same time, this project is intended to take an important step towards achieving the targets set out in the EU Water Framework Directive (EU-WFD) and implementing the measures required to achieve them.

The planned course and results of the project are to be publicized and used in an active exchange with citizens and the general public to strengthen the Ore Mountains mining region as a world heritage site.

Development site: Hammerberg slag heap in Freiberg.