Fisherman's Paradise in the Karviná

Landscape in Karviná and Ostrava area is significantly changes due to reclaiming the land previously affected by mining. "We are aware of our responsibility for changes in the landscape that mining brings. We pay a significant attention for the reclamation of particular locations," says Radim Tabášek, HR director responsible for the reclamation. The costs for reclamation in 2010 were 265 million crowns, of which 148 million came from OKD sources, 117 million from public funds.

Return the landscape to nature and people

The goal of reclamation is return the land, that was turned into mining activities, in the natural state where will be as a self-sufficient ecosystem. "Several examples in the Ostrava-Karviná mining district indicate, that nature in these sites gradually returns and gives rise to a new unique ecosystem with rare species of fauna and flora," says Tabášek.

Fisherman´s paradise on the site of the mining colonies

Lazecká location is one of the remarkable examples of reclamation efforts miners. There were about twenty mining colonies near to Orlová in the past. By now, they exist only in the memories of witnesses and in historical documents. The houses were crumbling due to mining, there were subsides and colonies had to be demolished.

Even before Lazecká trickle that flowed between them, disappeared due to subsides, miners started a rescue operation. They removed the soil for further use in reclamation. The rescue operation started on 55 hectares in 1992 and together with the biological part lasted until 2003. The cost reached 90 million.

Heavy equipment shaped a new landscape relief, which overlay by soil and planted forests. The heart of the site is 20 hectares lake in places where Lazecká trickle was originally flowing. The banks were planted with water-receptive vegetation and place became a popular location for fishermen from Karviná, Orlová and adjacent municipalities. Local hunting association uses the surrounding meadows with planted trees and hedges for hunting.

Lazecká is a successful example of what the miners in reclamation works primarily seeks. Return landscape in mutual symbiosis to nature and people.

Mark Síbrt