From mining heritage to a future in raw materials: Wismut and SAXORE agree to collaborate in Pöhla
Wismut GmbH and SAXORE Bergbau GmbH intend to collaborate on the planned Tellerhäuser raw materials project in the Ore Mountains in Saxony/Germany. To this end, both companies have signed a memorandum of understanding. The aim is to assess existing mining expertise, experience and infrastructure potential and to utilise these for the further development of the project.
The planned Tellerhäuser mine is situated within the “Rittersgrün” licence area of SAXORE Bergbau GmbH, Freiberg/Germany. This overlaps in parts with the mining property owned by Wismut GmbH, Chemnitz/Germany, which includes the former Pöhla uranium mine. Wismut has been carrying out post-mining rehabilitation there for around 35 years. The surface remediation has been completed, whilst mine water treatment continues at the Pöhla water treatment plant.
Through the memorandum of understanding, the companies have agreed to a structured exchange of information and to examine specific opportunities for cooperation. The focus is on five key areas.
In the area of overlapping mining licences, Wismut and SAXORE intend to coordinate their activities and exchange views on mining law issues. This also includes consultations with the Saxon Mining Authority. The partners wish to examine whether existing mining infrastructure could be shared in future and what technical and economic potential this might offer. Opportunities for cooperation in water management are also to be explored.
Wismut’s decades of experience at the Pöhla site and SAXORE’s current findings from exploration and project development form a further basis for the collaboration. In particular, the exchange of geological information and technical expertise is envisaged, whilst complying with statutory and contractual requirements.
Another key focus is on developing concepts for the future decommissioning and aftercare of the planned mine. Long-term environmental and safety requirements are to be taken into account right from the project development stage.
Dr Michael Paul, Technical Director of Wismut GmbH: “Our experience from more than three decades of remediation and aftercare shows that one must not wait until mining operations have ceased to address the end of a mine’s life. Responsible aftercare begins right at the planning stage. We intend to bring this experience and our knowledge of complex mining and environmental issues to bear in our collaboration with SAXORE.”
The collaboration is initially planned to run for a period of 2.5 years. During this pilot phase, the possibilities and limitations of a structured collaboration will be explored and concrete approaches to cooperation developed.
Matthias Faust, Managing Director of SAXORE Bergbau GmbH: “Security of raw material supply begins on site. With this collaboration, we are laying the foundations for the responsible extraction of domestic raw materials and for contributing to the security of supply in Germany and Europe. In Wismut, we are gaining a partner with unique expertise in mining in the Ore Mountains. No one knows the underground infrastructure, water management and geological characteristics of our region as well as they do. This wealth of knowledge is invaluable for the responsible development of Tellerhäuser.”
The letter of intent does not constitute authorisation for the development or operation of the new mine. The procedures required for the Tellerhäuser project under mining, environmental and water legislation, as well as other public law procedures, remain unaffected. Decisions on these matters rest exclusively with the relevant competent authorities.
Wismut’s responsibilities and obligations regarding the safeguarding and aftercare of its mining legacy also remain unaffected by the collaboration. (MRG)
