Explored land must be reclaimed before the submission of a geological investigation report or geological exploration report or, if a report is not submitted, before the expiry of the permit for geological investigation or the exploration permit. Land disturbed by extraction shall be reclaimed before the expiry of the extraction permit. The reclamation obligation also continues after expiry or revocation of the permit.
Land disturbed by extraction is reclaimed in accordance with a reclamation project. The reclamation project is prepared according to the conditions for reclamation provided by the Environmental Board. The consent to implement the reclamation project is granted by the Environmental Board.
The waste hierarchy established in the Waste Act applies in prevention of waste generation and in development and implementation of measures for waste handling, whereas prevention of waste generation should be the priority.
If prevention of waste generation cannot be avoided (e.g. generation of sewage sludge and construction-destruction waste), opportunities must be found for the reuse or recycling of waste.
In certain cases it is reasonable to use sewage sludge and inert waste during the reclamation of quarries. For example, by mixing treated sewage sludge with quarry soil, it is possible to achieve artificial soil rich in nutrients with a high content of organic matter and with a suitable soil reaction, ideal for the growth of herbaceous plants and trees in the biological reclamation of quarries.
When using sewage sludge for recultivation, the requirements of Regulation No. 29 of the Minister of the Environment of 31.07.2019 "Limit values for the quality of sewage sludge used in green area creation, recultivation and in agriculture" must be complied with.
Inert waste is suitable for filling during reclamation of a quarry. In case of filling the company must make sure that the recyclable material does not contain hazardous substances above the established limit values and does not contain organics (branches, leaves, etc.).
The waste used in reclamation of quarries cannot contain glass, plastics, etc. waste, which may be classified as inert waste, but in case of which recycling should be preferred in manufacturing of new products in accordance with the waste hierarchy. When using inert waste, the requirements established by Regulation No. 21 of the Minister of the Environment of 21.04.2004 "Requirements for the recovery or disposal at the place of waste generation of certain types and quantities of non-hazardous waste for which a waste permit is not obligatory” must be followed.
The holder of an extraction permit shall compensate for the damage caused by the extraction regardless of whether or not they are culpable. If there is no longer an extractor in the area, but significant environmental nuisances become evident within three years after declaring the obligation to reclaim land disturbed by extraction to be performed, the person who had the reclamation obligation is required to eliminate these.
If damage is caused by extraction on the basis of a permit more than ten years after the expiry of the extraction permit, the caused damage is compensated for by the state out of the received mineral resource extraction charges.
In both cases, the Environmental Board asks you to report of the damage or environmental nuisance. We also ask you to inform us of ground collapses above the old mines.
Please send the completed form of notification at info@keskkonnaamet.ee. Recommended notification form.
Last updated: 02.12.2022
