# Environmentally Friendly Rock Mining--Case Study of the Limestone Mine \"Gorazdze\", Poland
## 4. Reclamation Directions for the Limestone Mine \"Gorazdze\"  
In the Limestone Mine \"Gorazdze\", the natural environment is affected along the area of 545.5 ha, which is the total area subject to reclamation and the terrain will finally be lowered to 57 m. The existing reclamation project of this enterprise defines the directions of the reclamation as the forestry and water direction, together with the technical and biological reconstruction of embankments and slopes [32]. The reclamation works on the area of this mine began in 1984 and their final completion is planned in about 60 years, after the exploitation of the deposit resources. The forest reclamation is carried out in a part of the bottom of the excavation with an area of 254.40 ha (Figure 4). It also covers the slopes of the excavation and the slopes around the nature reserve. These projects are beneficial for the development of flora and fauna, and will allow for the elimination of earlier dissonance through the restoration and diversification of the landscape and its full adaptation to the environment. The direction of the technical and biological reconstruction of the slopes and embankments of the internal dump is systematically carried out as the exploitation fronts move on. Within the framework of this type of reclamation, protective strips of greenery will be made along the upper edges of the embankment. The biological reclamation activities are aimed at securing and stabilizing the slopes. The implementation of these measures should be carried out  
Figure 3. Location of the protective pillar for the “Kamien Slaski” nature reserve. within a period of two to five years from the completion of the technical reclamation works. After the exploitation in the northern part of the deposit in the excavation has been finished, the creation of an artificial reservoir with a target area of 211.53 ha is planned. Aquatic reclamation will be carried out in order to develop the fish industry, and thus the resulting water environment will contribute to the improvement of the habitat conditions of living organisms. Figure 5 shows the current reclamation plan together with the current topography. The main objective of G\(\acute{\text{o}}\)rz\(\acute{\text{a}}\)dze Cement S.A. within the framework of reclamation works and any further development is, first of all, to increase biodiversity and thus minimize natural losses in the area of depleted excavations. This is why a program for the protection of biodiversity of the mining area has been implemented at the mine since 2005; its fundamental objective is to prepare as many diverse habitats as possible, especially for species threatened by the exploitation of carbonate raw  
Figure 4: Topography of the limestone mine “G\(\acute{\text{o}}\)rz\(\acute{\text{a}}\)dze”. Figure 5: Plan of the limestone mine “G\(\acute{\text{o}}\)rz\(\acute{\text{a}}\)dze”reclamation. materials. The reclamation project proposes that up to 45% of the area requiring revitalization should be reclaimed following the forest reclamation direction, which would also increase the number of habitats that are necessary to increase the number of various species [32]. Proposal to Extend the Scope of Reclamation Operations in the Limestone Mine \"Gorazdze\" in Terms of Preservation of Biodiversity  
The analyzed area is mainly characterized by lowlands. Only in the southern part of the mine is there a range of hills. Within the scope of mining activity, the areas are largely forests, while agricultural areas, meadows and pastures are rare. In the central part of the analyzed mining area (i.e., where the environment is directly affected by the mine) there are industrial areas. Triassic formations occur in the area of the mine, and are mainly composed of limestone layers. These Triassic rock formations have a simple, layered structure. There are no direct reservoirs or watercourses in the vicinity of the mine.