The white mountains of the Werratal are turning green!
There is no potash mining in the world without residues. At the Werratal potash plants, a large part of the residues is disposed of in tailings piles, as is customary worldwide. Rainfall on the tailings piles generates saline water, which in turn has to be disposed of. K+S sees the greatest leverage for minimizing the impact of salt piles on people and the environment in the future in covering and greening them. Ideally, this will ensure that precipitation no longer comes into contact with the salt body of the tailings pile, thereby minimizing the amount of mineralized tailings pile water. Since the summer of 2022, the plateau areas of the tailings piles in Hattorf and Wintershall have been covered and then landscaped. From the end of the 2020s, the sides of the tailings piles will also be gradually covered and landscaped using a method adapted to the site.
Why we cover the tailings piles
Despite the further development of mining and processing technologies, the accumulation of solid residues cannot be completely avoided even today in profitable potash production. These are then disposed of on tailings piles using state-of-the-art technology. The tailings consist of the residues from the production of fertilizers and other valuable mineral products in the surface plants. Rain or snow dissolves salts from the tailings piles. The resulting saline tailings water is collected in trenches around the pile, stored in basins, and then, in accordance with the relevant permits, discharged into the Werra river or used for the prescribed flooding of former mines. K+S and, therefore, also the Werra plant are pursuing the goal of reducing the amount of saline tailings pond water to the technically possible minimum in the future by covering the tailings piles and, therefore, minimizing the discharge into the Werra, for example.
Four reasons form the basis for the measures to cover the tailings piles at the Werra plant:
We are committed to long-term responsibility for the people and the environment in the region.
The K+S Werra plant is aware of the importance of its long-term responsibility for people and the environment in the region. Covering the tailings piles is an expression of this commitment. The greening of the tailings is intended to make an active contribution to improving the quality of life in the region. The goal is to create sustainable solutions that address both environmental and social issues. The commitment extends beyond the environment. We work closely with the local communities, listen to their concerns, and jointly find solutions to the benefit of all.
For decades to come, we will ensure the region's production and prosperity.
As a major employer and provider of training in the Werra Valley region, K+S wants to secure the jobs of the approximately 4,400 employees at the Werra plant in the long term. The continued existence and maintenance of the production sites is only possible if the disposal of production residues is secured. Sustainable management of residues and the covering of tailings piles ensure that K+S is a reliable partner for the people and the economy of the region, not only today, but also in the decades to come.
We minimize the amount of salt runoff into rivers.
Covering the tailings and vegetating them reduces the amount of rainwater that can infiltrate the tailings piles and the amount of water that collects in the first place. Covering the tailings piles makes a significant contribution to reducing the amount of saline water and improving the ecological condition of the rivers. The goal is to create a sustainable future in which industrial activities and environmental protection are in harmony. Reducing the salinity of rivers is an important step in this direction and demonstrates a responsible attitude and commitment to preserving natural habitats.
Giving nature back a piece of its habitat
The Werra plant is firmly committed to giving something back to nature and having a positive impact on the environment. One of the aims of covering the tailings and planting vegetation on them is to reintegrate the tailings into the landscape. By greening the tailings piles, K+S is creating new habitats for plants and animals and enabling the resettlement of native plant species. This increases biodiversity and strengthens the resilience of local ecosystems.
