Indicator 2.8 - Mine and Soil Reclamation
Large construction projects call for a large amount of material. Limiting disturbance of land and vegetation, as well as reclaiming the areas used for mines and spoils that are not inundated by the reservoir or become part of the construction, is a sustainability issue.
Performance
All soil and mine areas around the Alcoa Fjardaál smelter have been reclaimed. No mining areas were opened especially for the project as all material was taken from the site underneath the smelter.
The reclamation of soil and mine areas in the Fljótsdalur Power Station area is now finished, but one rock mine, located east of Kelduár Reservoir is kept open for further use. When the areas were being finished, Landsvirkjun followed instructions from the Environment Agency of Iceland representatives, who will submit a report on the performance, which will be available here when finished.
Metrics, Targets & Monitoring Protocol
Metrics: What is measured?
a. Proportion of disturbed land that is reclaimed to a comparable status as before construction (Project effect: direct).
Targets
a. Smelter and Hydro: The condition of disturbed areas is in harmony with the surrounding nature and landscape.
Monitoring Protocol
a. Hydro: During construction monitors will visit the area and make visual observation to check if contractors are working according to plans. Measurements will be done if needed. Visual inspection every few months. After construction is finished surface spoils areas will be measured to see if it is in the right height. After construction, information about vegetation growth in the reclamation area will be collected every five years.
Smelter: Through field engineering records. Data will be published once after the construction of the smelter is finished.
Rationale for Indicator Selection
Large construction projects call for a large amount of material. Limiting disturbance of land and vegetation, as well as reclaiming the areas used for mines and spoils that are not inundated by the reservoir or become part of the construction, is a sustainability issue.
Material used to build dams and roads, as well as material used for other project related purposes, is taken from mines that are carefully chosen based on research and environmental considerations. To make land reclamation more successful, organic soil that is removed from disturbed areas will be kept and used to cover disturbed areas. Vegetation will also be restored where appropriate.
Earth material from tunnels, sections, and other digging related to the projects will be used for construction or placed in areas chosen after research and environmental considerations. Spoil areas that are not inundated by Hálslón Reservoir or otherwise affected by the projects will be shaped so they become a part of the current landscape. Organic soil from spoil areas will be stored until construction is completed. Then the disturbed areas will be covered with the soil and vegetation reclaimed where appropriate.
