OREANDA-NEWS. September 24, 2009. Phosphorite Industrial Group – part of EuroChem – is the only enterprise in the Kingisepp area of the Leningrad Region engaged in land recultivation which restores forest plantations damaged by mining operations.

After the mine was closed in 2006, 263 hectares of land were transferred to Lenoblleskhoz. The planning and recultivation was implemented throughout the plot, which had been mined for ore using 6 15-meter long quarries. Mass pine planting has occurred on the land since it was transferred to state management. Just this year, 84,000 seedlings have been planted on 22 hectares.

Since 2006, Phosphorite has restored soil fertility and planting after mining ore in the quarries.

Along with the forests, Phosphorite is developing new clean lakes within the area. So it is not surprising that the former mine is now a favoured area by fishers and mushroom pickers from Kingisepp.

Land planning is currently underway at quarries 1 and 3, while technical recultivation is being conducted at quarries 5 and 6. Soil is also being brought into quarries 4, 5 and 6. The work involves 10 bulldozers, 2 auto scrapers, 4 heavy-load BelAZ trucks, and truck loaders.

The project, developed by LLC Giproruda, encompasses the restoration of 212 additional hectares of land damaged by mining operations. This year, Phosphorite has committed to recultivate 109 hectares, 70 of which will then be transferred to the forestry for tree planting.