Recultivation work in the oil shale basin of Estonia, USSR

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Reclam. Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6568389

Luik, H

Soviet Estonia is situated in the northwestern part of the Soviet Union. The most important mineral resources are oil shale, phosphorite, peat and construction materials. Oil shale production is about 30 x 10/sup 6/ tonnes a year. The oil shale is partly surface mined but the majority is deep mined. Recultivation of exhausted oil shale pits started in 1959 and has proceeded at an average of 150 ha per annum. In the course of recultivation a process of selective mining is adopted, this is followed quickly by physical recontouring and cultivation work. Particular attention is given to the maintenance and improvement of soil fertility. Afforestation is the main form of biological recultivation with more than 2450 ha of exhausted oil shale workings having been planted. The most successful trees have been Pinus sylvestris, Betula verrucosa, Larix europea and Larix japonica. The development of mining and land use in the oil shale basin is closely regulated. To ensure efficient mining development and to maximise nature conservation and recreation potential a scheme of functional zoning has been drawn up and a policy of progressive recultivation has been adopted.

• Research Organization: Ministry of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Tallinn, USSR
• OSTI ID: 6568389
• Journal Information: Reclam. Rev.; (United States), Journal Name: Reclam. Rev.; (United States) Vol. 3:3; ISSN RERED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
041000 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Environmental Aspects
510500* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ASIA
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
EASTERN EUROPE
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
IMAGES
LAND RECLAMATION
LAND USE
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINES
MINING
OIL SHALE DEPOSITS
OIL SHALE MINING
OIL SHALES
RESOURCES
REVEGETATION
USSR