The former mining area of Lousal has the subject of two major environmental recovery operations.

The first, in 2010/2011, consisted of modelling and preparation of a pyrite landfill, vertical waterproofing of the Dam Area, drainage of water with the construction of rainwater collection and leaching water collection ditches, an acid water treatment system, with the construction of wetlands located downstream of the cementation cells; construction of fences and footpaths; placement of topsoil; modelling of the tailings heap and sealing of galleries. This contract was awarded to the consortium Tecnovia – Sociedade de Empreitadas, SA / LTO – Lavouras e Terraplenagens do Oeste, Lda. for € 1,801,253.20 and had a duration of 365 days.

The second, in 2014/2015, consisted of the sealing of shafts and tunnels; execution of a leachate and aeration channel; evapotranspiration dams; installation of fences and safety signs; construction wetlands and aeration channels; installation of fencing and signage in the wetlands; construction of stream wetlands; revegetation, and finally, the implementation of a surveillance, control and monitoring plan. This contract was awarded to FR3E – Energia e Novas Oportunidades, Lda. for € 1,803,959.81 and had a duration of 365 days.

The investments were co-financed by the Cohesion Fund and allowed the environmental liabilities resulting from mining at this location to be resolved, bringing benefits to local populations through the improvement of current conditions and use of the areas reclaimed for other ends.

The contract for environmental remediation of the Barracão Former Radium Factory, included in that of the Prado Velho and Ferro Velho, consisted of the following main activities:

• Preliminary works, including the removal of debris from the old buildings and industrial facilities to Prado Velho;
• Removal of contaminated materials to the confined disposal site at Prado Velho;
• Cleaning and removal of underlying soils to the confined disposal site at Prado Velho;
• Recovery of the landscape.

This contract was awarded to Oliveiras Empreiteiros, SA for € 3,159,628.58 (including Prado Velho and Ferro Velho) and had a duration of 238 days.

The investment in this intervention was co-financed by the Cohesion Fund and enabled the objectives proposed for these former mining areas to be achieved, including a reduction in risks to safety, environmental and radiological risks, while simultaneously improving the surrounding landscape, as well as recovering areas that  had been rendered unusable by the disposal of tailings associated with the mining operations, and which may now be used for other purposes.

The environmental remediation work at the Forte Velho mine, included in that of the Prado Velho and Barracão Former Radium Factory, consisted of the following main activities:

• Demolition and debris removal from the former buildings and lixiviation floors for confined disposal;
• Removal of spoil heaps to the confined disposal site;
• Cleaning and removal of contaminated surface materials to the confined disposal site at Prado Velho;
• Capping and enclosure of mine shafts and galleries;
• Forming of the area and landscaping.

This contract was awarded to Oliveiras Empreiteiros, SA for € 3,159,628.58 (including Prado Velho and the Former Barracão Radium Factory) and had a duration of 238 days.

The investment in this intervention was co-financed by the Cohesion Fund and enabled the objectives proposed for these former mining areas to be achieved, including a reduction in risks to safety, environmental and radiological risks, while simultaneously improving the surrounding landscape, as well as recovering areas that  had been rendered unusable by the disposal of tailings associated with the mining operations, and which may now be used for other purposes.

The hydrological and environmental rehabilitation of the abandoned mining areas of Alentejo was carried out in 4 phases and covered 3 areas of this mining complex.

Phase 1A took place between 2006 and 2007 and consisted of the following main activities:

• Construction of the floodway outlet channel of the Industrial Waters Dam (IWD);
• Construction of perimeter clean water drainage ditches to the north (L1) and east (L2).

Phase 1B took place between 2007 and 2008 and consisted of the following main activities:

• Removal of pyrite deposits and grey waste and packing into the former pit;
• Transport to a landfill site of industrial waste and scrap scattered across the area;
• Waterproofing of the base of the entire disposal area that will receive the materials during the different phases, and capping of the top of the deposits resulting from the operations of phase 1B;
• Construction of a subsurface drainage system in the disposal area that will receive the products of the excavations in the following phases;
• Construction of prop walls and LX1, LX2 and Lx3 leachate effluent collection trenches around the perimeter of the existing grey waste dump;
• Construction of LX4 leached water return trench, downstream of the dam located close to the cementation cells;
• Recovery of mining infrastructure with heritage or archaeological value, such as the cementation cells, the levee located upstream, and Roman slag.

In 2008, Stabilization of the Transtagana Chimney was performed, thus preventing the complete destruction of this symbol of mining activity.

Phase 2 took place between 2010 and 2011 and consisted of the following main activities:

• Construction of a pilot downstream of the IWD;
• Construction of evaporation-concentration basins south of the Algares pit and an aeration channel joining the concentration-evaporation basins with the pilot wetland;
• Construction of clean water and domestic water supply pipes to the pilot wetland;
• Completion of the leachate collection trench, started during the previous phase, in order to channel the abstracted flows to the dam located upstream of the cementation cells;
• Construction of a leachate collection trench for the purpose of collecting the leachate flow through the dam foundation and facilitating drainage to the pilot wetland;
• Protection of galleries and shafts identified as being of archaeological/mining and environmental interest;
• Lining and improvement of protection of the basin created in the S. João mining area.

The final stage, Phase 3, took place between 2014 and 2015 and consisted of the following main activities:

• Earthmoving, cleaning and removal of surface residues;
• Removal of deposits scattered around the Algares mining area, including complete drainage of the deposits located upstream of the cementation cells dam, in the bunkers and the left bank of the BAF;
• Cleaning and re-profiling of the slopes surrounding the winch;
• Packing into the Algares pit of materials from the full drainage of the BAF reservoir;
• Drainage of the river bed downstream of the Água Forte dam;
• Packing of material from the S4 grey waste dump;
• Partial waterproofing, through a multi-layer system and replanting of the central spoil heap;
• Construction of an internal surface drainage system;
• Biophysical and landscape rehabilitation;
• Creating of visitation routes;
• Drainage of the gallery and earthmoving and packing;
• Execution of gallery reinforcements;
• Slope stabilization;
• Execution of drainage system and drainage of the gallery bottom;
• Rehabilitation of metal structures, namely the Vipasca Winch;
• Execution of other works, namely the creation of stairs and an access lift to the surface and civil works.

The investment made in the period 2005-2008 was co-financed by the Alentejo Regional Operational Programme under the Third Community Support Framework

and that of the period 2007-2015, by the Operational Programme for Territorial Enhancement under the NSRF, totalling around € 15,000,000.

The contract for the environmental remediation of the Prado Velho mine, which also included Forte Velho mine and the former Barracão Radium Factory, consisted of the following main activities:

• Preparation of the pit for filling;
• Total filling of the pit with materials from the surrounding spoil heaps;
• Creation of a confined disposal site for materials from other mines and materials resulting from the decontamination of the area around the Former Barracão Factory (total of 255,000 m³);
• Maintenance of the water surface inside the pit, with a total capacity of 18,000 m³;
• Recovery of the landscape.

Around 209,904 m³ of local soils were transported to the confined disposal site created in the pit, plus around 2,200 m³ of masonry, brick and concrete demolition material from the structures/ruins of Prado Velho, Forte Velho and Barracão Factory, which were crushed at Prado Velho in a mobile crushing unit. An additional 50,000 m³ of material from other mines and around 21,500 m³ from surface capping (clay + crushed stone + soil + topsoil) were also added to this total. Around 255,000 m³ were packed into the pit.

The total area occupied by the disposal of material is 14,200 m². The height above ground, after capping, varies between 3 and 5 m, with the highest point being located at the north end.

This contract was awarded to Oliveiras Empreiteiros, SA for € 3,159,628.58 (including Forte Velho and the Former Barracão Radium Factory) and had a duration of 238 days.

The investment in this intervention was co-financed by the Cohesion Fund and enabled the objectives proposed for these former mining areas to be achieved, including a reduction in risks to safety, environmental and radiological risks, while simultaneously improving the surrounding landscape, as well as recovering areas that  had been rendered unusable by the disposal of tailings associated with the mining operations, and which may now be used for other purposes.

The intervention in this mining area took place in two stages, whereby, during the first stage, between January 2007 and April 2008, all mining heap materials were confined by removing and compacting them into the open cut. The second stage of the intervention began on 3 June 2008, with the lining, drainage and landscaping of the mining heap. The work carried out comprised the following main activities:

• Excavation of the poor ore and its placement in a dump, which includes the removal, transport and disposal with compaction in the open cut of the poor ore mining heap, according to a sequence defined by the radioactive materials;
• Excavation of the remaining material and its placement in a dump, which includes the removal, transport and disposal with compaction in the open cut of the remaining material, with lower levels of radioactivity;
• Lining, drainage, access road and restoration of the landscape, which includes the execution of the final cover system, the installation of the drainage system, the installation of piezometers for monitoring, the execution of an access road and revegetation work.

This work was awarded to the consortium Tecnovia – Sociedade de Empreitadas, SA / LTO – Lavouras e Terraplenagens do Oeste, Lda. for an amount of € 2,107,626.55 and had a duration of 300 days.

The investment was co-financed by the Environment Operational Programme under the Third Community Support Framework, and allowed the correction of the geotechnical instability of the slopes of the spoil heap, as well as the resulting visual impacts, proper handling of the existing surface acid mine drainage and in improvement of the safety conditions for the circulation of people and animals.

Initiatives at the Urgeiriça mining perimeter were staged according the Master Plan for Environmental Remediation of the Urgeiriça Mining Area, as established under the “Master Study of Radioactive Ore Areas – Phase 2” (EXMIN, 2002/2003).

The most important interventions and activities are listed below:

SLOPE STABILIZATION WORKS, CAPPING AND DRAINAGE OF THE TAILINGS DUMP – PREPARATORY WORKS (2005)

• Erection of fencing around the entire boundary of the area of intervention;
• Cleaning, upgrading/reconstruction of peripheral rainwater ditches system;
• Decanting and adduction of runoff water to the New Dam Sector;
• Execution of access gates for heavy vehicles;
• Execution of wheel cleaning and washing systems;
• Deforestation of the area of intervention with maintenance of a 10 to 15-metre protective strip of trees around the entire boundary;
• Mounting of radiological and dust monitoring devices.

SLOPE STABILIZATION WORKS, CAPPING AND DRAINAGE OF THE TAILINGS DUMP (2006-2008)

• Removal of radioactive waste deposits existing in the Santa Bárbara Spoil Heap (95,000 m³) and in the Poor Ore Spoil Heap (45,000 m³) and their confinement in the Tailings Dump of the Old Dam;
• Flooding of the underground mine to restore the natural hydrodynamic level of the mine water;
• Cleaning of contaminated land in the Industrial Area and Public Areas;
• Cleaning and renaturation of the Ribeira da Pantanha;
• Recovery of Agricultural Land;
• Preparation of the New Dam area for accommodation of materials resulting from clean-up operations;
• Environmental remediation of Shaft 4 and respective wastewater treatment basin.

ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION OF THE VALINHOS FORMER MINING AREA (2004-2008)

• Removal and transport of debris, approximately 6,000 m³, for the New Dam;
• Cleaning and consolidation of underground areas;
• Maintenance and improvement of equipment associated with the Mine Shaft, a piece of heritage to be maintained;
• Rehabilitation of areas subject to cleaning of debris;
• Removal of weeds;
• Deviation of rainwater originating from the area directly surrounding the reservoir, so that it is only fed by the dominant drainage basin;
• Landscaping improvements;
• Fencing off of car access to the leisure area;
• Creation of pedestrian paths;
• Creation of a footbridge for the living area over the water;
  Execution of a bridge connecting the reservoir banks;
• Adaptation of existing buildings to support visitors and create a bar/terrace with benches and fixed tables;
• Creation of an access platform for small watercraft.

WORKS IN THE AREAS SURROUNDING THE SPOIL HEAPS AND INDUSTRIAL ZONE (2008)

• Quantification of levels of radioactivity in metallic materials, building materials and other structures of the former industrial area of Urgeiriça;
• Demolition of buildings and structures in the areas surrounding the CTP (Chemical Treatment Plant) and the Santa Bárbara Shaft;
• Movement of contaminated soil, its capping and protection with appropriate materials;
• Landscaping of the intervention area.

BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL REGENERATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL AREA OF SANTA BÁRBARA AND QUINTA DA VITÓRIA AND ROADS AND SLOPES IN PUBLIC AREAS (2011-2012)

• Removal of road materials;
• Final recovery of some local areas for the integration of those areas into the surrounding environment and protection of ecosystems;
• Disposal of around 40,000 m³ of materials from the cleaning of deposits in the Urgeiriça area and around 4,500 m³ of the products resulting from the excavations to be carried out during the contract;
• Preparation of materials reception area through the creation of drainage conditions of foundation lands;
• Creation of a water treatment basin from the existing MWTP;
• Placement of a layer of compacted clay with a thickness of 50 cm across the whole area affected by the intervention.

CONSTRUCTION OF A PASSIVE MINE WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR SHAFT 4 (2012)

• Acceptance and containment of groundwater springs;
• Creation of settling tanks (primary and secondary) and drying bed;
• System for routing of sludge from the settlement tanks to the drying beds;
• Implementation of floating macrophytes and stabilization pond with final discharge;
• Application of seals.

WORKS IN THE RIBEIRA DA PANTANHA AND FINAL SEALING OF THE NEW DAM (INCLUDES VALE CÔVO) (2012-2014)

• Cleaning of deposits scattered around the New Dam area and their packing into the dumping areas;
• Construction of a tailings pond;
• Creating a new renatured bed for the Ribeira da Pantanha which incorporates the river, from a biophysical and landscaping standpoint, into the space of the New Dam;
• Operational maintenance of the entire system of drains and treatment components that are active in the New Dam and that are affected by the river deployment works;
• Permanent closure of the dump areas of the New Dam, final sealing and drainage of those areas and their landscaping.

CONSTRUCTION OF PASSIVE AND ACTIVE SYSTEMS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SPRINGS AND AFFLUENT STREAMS FLOWING TO THE NEW DAM AREA (2015-2016)

• Clearing of intervention areas and demolition of MWTP and ruined buildings;
• Emptying of basins 1 and 2 to the waterline to a depth of around 1 m and dehydration of sludge deposited on the bottom and its routing to an appropriate final destination;
• Cleaning of the waterproofing screens and installation of the floating islands and platforms;
• Implementation of the passive treatment tank and installation of the filling mechanisms, equipment and piping;
• Execution of the lift station for the lagoons and respective eduction pipe;
• Execution of the MWTP;
• Execution of a containment wall for the spring and respective gravity filter to the leachate well;
• Installation of vari-speed drives on the electrical pump sets in the leachate well and existing monitoring station;
• Execution of technical trench and installation of four pumping mains from the leachate well to the MWTP and passive treatment;
• Execution of roads and landscaping;
• Execution of fencing and access gate for the MWTP and passive treatment enclosure;
• Execution of rainwater drainage;
• Execution of electrical installations.

The contract, which is ongoing, begun in 2016 for the “CHEMICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL DECONTAMINATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGENERATION OF THE CTW AND BUILDINGS OF THE MINING PERIMETER” will be the last of the final phase of environmental remediation of Urgeiriça and will consist of the following main activities:

• Decontamination of the soil and subsoil inside and around the CTP and buildings of the former mining perimeter;
• Cleaning and decontamination of existing structures and contaminated equipment inside the CTP and buildings of the former mining perimeter;
• Strengthening and adaptation of the structural conditions of the CTP and buildings of the former mining perimeter, as a result of the decontamination works.

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS MADE

Slope Stabilization Works, Capping and Drainage of the Tailings Dump (2005-2008)

€ 7,885,000 (Own Funds)

Projects and Works in the Areas Surrounding the Mining Heaps and Industrial Zone of Urgeiriça (2006-2008)

€ 2,270,000 (CSFIII / POE)

Projects and Works in the Areas Surrounding Spoil Heaps and Industrial Zone of Urgeiriça – Phase 2 (2008-2010)

€ 730,000 (QREN / POVT)

Works in Ribeira da Pantanha and Final Sealing of the New Dam (2010-2015)

€ 8,100,000 (QREN / POVT)

Environmental Rehabilitation of Former Urgeiriça Mining Area – Final Phase (2014-2017)

€ 14,440,000 * (PT2020/POSEUR)

(*) Estimated value

The services to be carried out in this mining area consist of the following main activities:

• Soil drainage;
• Removal of spoil heaps and contaminated soil;
• Recovery and landscaping.

The investment is co-financed by the Cohesion Fund and will allow the environmental liabilities resulting from mining at this location to be resolved, bringing benefits to local populations through the improvement of current conditions and use of the areas reclaimed for other ends.

The services to be carried out in this mining area consist of the following main activities:

• Soil drainage;
• Removal of existing spoil heaps;
• Recovery and landscaping.

The investment is co-financed by the Cohesion Fund and will allow the environmental liabilities resulting from mining at this location to be resolved, bringing benefits to local populations through the improvement of current conditions and use of the areas reclaimed for other ends.

The services to be carried out in this mining area consist of the following main activities:

• Soil drainage;
• Demolition and replacement of walls;
• Removal of existing spoil heaps;
• Recovery and landscaping.

The investment is co-financed by the Cohesion Fund and will allow the environmental liabilities resulting from mining at this location to be resolved, bringing benefits to local populations through the improvement of current conditions and use of the areas reclaimed for other ends.

The services to be carried out in this mining area consist of the following main activities:

• Soil drainage;
• Demolition and replacement of walls;
• Removal of existing spoil heaps;
• Recovery and landscaping.

The investment is co-financed by the Cohesion Fund and will allow the environmental liabilities resulting from mining at this location to be resolved, bringing benefits to local populations through the improvement of current conditions and use of the areas reclaimed for other ends.

The services to be carried out consist of the following main activities:

• Filling of one of the existing pits in the mining area of Castelejo with materials from the surrounding spoil heaps, including confined disposal of materials from other mining areas;
• Earthmoving consisting essentially of loading, transport, spreading and compacting inside the pit. The total volume of material to be transported to the confined disposal site to be created inside the pit is around 350,000 cubic metres, plus approximately 90,000 cubic metres of other materials from the remaining mining areas;
• Confinement of the disposal site after moisture proofing, sealing and restoration of the landscape;
• Maintenance of the water surface in the second pit, at the south end, and recovery of the landscape across the entire area;
• Construction of fishing and observation platforms.

The investment is co-financed by the Cohesion Fund and will allow the environmental liabilities resulting from mining at this location to be resolved, bringing benefits to local populations through the improvement of current conditions and use of the areas reclaimed for other ends.