The project Redrawing Landscapes, by Euroarce (Grupo SAMCA), has won first prize in the Environmental Management category at the first edition of the National Mining and Life Awards. This distinction, presented at Mining and Minerals Hall 2024 by the Mining and Life Foundation, recognises the excellence of a geomorphological restoration project carried out at the Sica–San Luis mine in Arguisuelas (Cuenca).
This approximately 14-hectare open-pit mining site was an environmental degraded area where no restoration work had previously been undertaken. The solution developed by Euroarce’s technical team, improving upon the initial plan, was based on the principles of ecological restoration through a geomorphological approach. The project followed the GeoFluy method and used Natural Regrade software, an approach classified by the European Commission as a Best Available Technique (BAT) for the management of waste from extractive industries.
Throughout the project, topographical reshaping and revegetation actions were carried out, creating new landforms that promote the recovery of local ecosystems. Additional measures were implemented to improve soil quality and foster biodiversity, including the instalation of bird perches and the planting of native species.
The project was fully executed between 2020 and 2023. The objective of fully integrating the former mining site into the surrounding landscape has been successfully achieved.
More information about the project.