Geographical Consequences of the Surface Exploitation of Coal on the Area of Tuzla Basin (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The paper analyses, from a geographical aspect, consequences of the surface exploitation of coal on the area of Tuzla basin, and offers the comparison of the results achieved in the revitalization of exposed territories with some examples (the Rhine basin, Lusatia region etc). The surface exploitation of coal caused significant geomorphological and anthropogenic changes on the area of the Tuzla basin. They can be noticed particularly in the change of scenery by the creation of land-forms (open pits, slag heaps etc). Coal surface exploitation also includes the relocation of water flows, destruction of drinking water springs, soil and vegetation degradation, air pollution above the exploitation areas and in their surroundings, etc. Anthropogenic changes can be seen primarily in the relocation of settlements or parts of them, depopulation, relocation of roads, etc. For example, coal surface exploitation in the Tuzla basin so far resulted in the following: 785 million m(3) of waste material, 150 million tons of coal, 4400 ha of degraded land, 20 relocated villages or parts of them, 20 new anthropogenic lakes etc. The Law on Mining of the Federal Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Statute on long-term programs and mining projects (which broadly covers the exploitation of mineral resources and the environment protection) have obliged coalmines to re-cultivate the degraded surface. According to these legal regulations the re-cultivation of the degraded soil on the territory of the Tuzla basin started at the end of 1970s and so far around 800 ha have been re-cultivated.