The development plan will be produced for the period 2010 to 2020 and will cover the mining and use of limestone, dolomite, crystalline quarry stone, sand, gravel and clay throughout Estonia. “The need for such a plan was triggered by the increased use of mineral resources and the problems that have come with it, which is something that needs to be dealt with at the national level,” explained Minister of the Environment Jaanus Tamkivi. “There tends to be a shortage of the raw material that’s needed, and there is a dearth of construction gravel in particular in and around Tallinn.” The minister says that the situation could turn critical in about five to ten years. However, supply problems may arise sooner if large-scale roadworks requiring large quantities of gravel are launched close to the capital. Opening new mineral deposits takes time (as much as ten years), which is why steps must be taken now to ensure sufficient supplies of mineral resources for the construction industry in future. The development plan will have to clarify which are the best potential areas to be mined over the coming decade. Clashes will also need to be resolved which centre on the increased need for mining of such resources and the opposition to the opening or expansion of mines. “That locals are against these moves is completely understandable, because mining doesn’t do much to improve the living environment,” the minister admitted. “That’s why the development plan has to pay particular attention to solving environmental problems, which is to say reducing the impact that mining has on the environment. Mining has to take place over as short a time as possible and with the least possible influence on the surrounding area, and any land that is spoiled somehow will need to be quickly and properly restored for use.” The development plan will also need to set out measures for the economical use of mineral resource stocks and to find ways of mitigating the lack of gravel with residue from the use of oil shale. The minister nevertheless emphasised that the use of mineral resources cannot be avoided in the construction industry if Estonia is to remain economically competitive and to ensure regional development and the well-being of its residents. Work to produce the development plan for mineral resources used in the construction industry will be coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment with input from representatives of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication, the Ministry of Finance and local government associations as well as the Regional Minister and experts from a range of fields. The draft plan should be ready by the end of 2009 and will then be submitted to the government. For further information please contact: |
