| Quarry Management - Holcim Spain |
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Description The San José del Valle limestone quarry is located close to Cadiz National Park and has an expected lifetime of over 70 years. The El Puente gravel pit has an expected lifetime of 13 years and is situated at the Jarama River, near the historic town of Aranjuez, south of Madrid. |
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Objectives At both sites, quarry management plans have been developed to allow rehabilitation of those parts of the quarries where operations are complete, while continuing to excavate in other parts of the site. |
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ActivitiesThe slopes of the limestone quarry were designed to allow reforestation with native shrubs and trees, and to integrate into the natural environment. A watering system was installed to ensure optimal viability of the young plants. The El Puente site was landscaped with lagoons and islands of differing sizes, shapes and depths, and with banks with irregular slopes. The site is managed in a way that ensures food and safe shelter for birds, and since 1995 has become the habitat for 19 different aquatic birds, and a hibernating site for 31 species, some of which are endangered. |
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Results Both sites are used for environmental education, and in 2000, the San José del Valle rehabilitation scheme won Spanish and European awards for quarry rehabilitation. |
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