Mining and Europe’s World Heritage Cultural Landscapes

Abstract

This study examines the four cases of World Heritage protected cultural landscapes in Europe that are characterized by mining in order to identify the role mining plays today in such cultural landscapes, the legal requirements for their protection, and also the exploration and exploitation in these areas and the differences that exist between the five European countries concerned. Using a qualitative comparative case study approach, the authors find that active mining is taking place in the Austrian case, and exploration is happening adjacent to the German/Czech protected cultural landscape. The legal protection of the cases is mainly based on heritage and monument protection legislation as well as environment protection legislation including the Natura 2000 network. Differences exist, as other than in Germany, exploration and mining could be allowed in protected areas, which is also contrary to the position of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, and the International Council on Mining and Metals.

Creating Tourism Destinations of Underground Built Heritage—The Cases of Salt Mines in Poland, Portugal, and Romania

“…The processes of mineral extraction were able to modify the territory in depth and leave behind scars both over and under the surface that are almost impossible to recover or backfill [2]. Many of the mines, especially those where the production has been stopped, became remnants of the past and an integral part of the cultural landscape [3]. Cultural landscape is defined by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) as a variety of "interactions between humankind and its natural environment".…”

“…Cultural landscape is defined by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) as a variety of "interactions between humankind and its natural environment". It also "reflects specific techniques of sustainable land-use, considering the characteristics and limits of the natural environment they are established in, and a specific spiritual relation to nature" [3][4][5]. Cultural landscapes include three main categories: (1) clearly defined landscape designed and created intentionally by man (e.g., parks and gardens, also connected to buildings and ensembles); (2) organically evolved landscape resulted from an initial social, economic, administrative, and/or religious imperative and then developed into its present form due to association with and in response to its natural environment; and (3) the associative cultural landscape, whose inclusion on the World Heritage List is usually justifiable by powerful religious, artistic or cultural associations of the natural element rather than material cultural evidence (which may be insignificant or even absent) [6].…”

The Strengthening Government Policies on Mineral and Coal Mining to Achieve Environmental Sustainability in Indonesia, Africa and Germany

“…It not only boosted its industrialization but also supported its recovery after World War II 37 . Mineral resources played an important role in the European economy and the sustainable supply of mineral resources played such an important role that various policies were made for example, mining, development and trade policies, environmental protection, and securing land and mineral wealth for the sustainability of future generations 38 . The energy transition, decarbonization and the future of manufacturing will not end the import dependence of the German national economy, but will most likely result in a shift in dependence on the rapidly increasing need for new raw materials while domestic resources can contribute to but not fully meet the growing demand 39 .…”

Creation of Backfill Materials Based on Industrial Waste

“…At the same time, growing awareness of societies and pressure from environmental organizations mean that more and more importance is attached to sustainable development [4]. This also applies to mining regions, where less environmentally invasive means of continuing mining activities are sought or, after the mine has been extinguished, revaluation through cultural landscapes of industrial heritage is being carried out [5].…”