Overview of legacy mining sites
The legacy of mining is extensive and deeply rooted in history. Mining activities expanded in the 18th century with the start of the Industrial Revolution and contributed to economic development and prosperity especially during the 19th and 20th centuries.
For about 200-years, Umicore’s predecessor companies were involved in mining zinc and other metals. In the mid-1990s, Union Minière began foregoing its remaining mining rights to focus on added-value materials and recycling. It closed its last mine in the early 1970. In 2001 Umicore was established as a transformed company with a circular business model, concentrating on materials technology.
The historical operation of the mines, their decommissioning and the return of mining concessions to state authorities have always been conducted in accordance with applicable mining laws.
Remediation practices are continually updated to meet evolving and stricter standards to mitigate the long-term impacts of historical mining activities. The projects are tailored to the specific conditions of the sites – their geography, historical usage, and the types of minerals extracted – to ensure that the solutions are effective and sustainable.
Below is a summary of Umicore’s main historical mining activities:
Former mining sites in France
Mining Legacy
France’s mining activities have a long history, dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries. The French state issued 4,384 mining titles, including 3,144 concessions, allowing the exploitation of mineral resources, considered as national wealth. In 1956 France’s mining laws were organized in a Mining Code, which has developed since.
The 18th century Industrial Revolution saw a significant expansion of mining activities. Umicore’s predecessor companies operated mines in France from the mid-1800s and until well into the 20th century. They mined zinc and lead, key for infrastructure, manufacturing, and construction developments.
Various factors, such as the depletion of easily accessible and economically viable resources, competition from foreign deposits and technological advancements reducing the reliance on mined materials, led to the decline of mining in France. Union Minière for instance, gradually ended its mining activities in the Gard region, in the south of the country. It ceased the last remaining mining activities in the Croix-de-Pallières mining sector – which consisted of the Lacoste, La Grande Vernissière, Saint-Sebastien d’Aigrefeuille and La-Croix-de-Pallières zinc and lead concessions – between the late 1960s and early 1970s.
From the extraction of minerals to the closing of the mines, every phase was done in compliance with the legal framework in force at that time.
In the 1990s, when Union Minière decided to surrender its mining rights, it secured the former mining sites under the supervision of the State. All mining concessions were returned to the state. The final one was confirmed by ministerial decree in 2005, symbolizing the end of an era.
Umicore never left the area and continued its remediation efforts in Saint Felix, completing the rehabilitation of La Digue tailings dam in 2022. Umicore is initiating new remediation projects in the area and will also launch feasibility studies in its former historical Lacoste mining concession for future remediation initiatives. These efforts are part of Umicore’s ongoing commitment to limiting the environmental impact of its historical mining activities.
Today,France still has nearly 3,000 former mining sites many of these are so-called orphaned or abandoned mines with no responsible owner, as many former mining companies have ceased to exist. It is rare to have companies like Umicore, which inherited a mining legacy and remain actively involved in remediation efforts.
Changing Contexts and Regulations
Industrial practices, health, safety and environmental standards, as well as laws and regulations were vastly different compared to today. Societal norms and regulations have also evolved significantly over time.
Similarly, the approach for remediating mining activities has changed.
Mining operations were strictly managed under the Mining Code. Mining activities were a collaborative effort between the state and mining companies. Practices during the time of operation and subsequent remediations were state-regulated and state-approved. This framework reflected the standards and knowledge of the time, which were less stringent and comprehensive than today’s practices.
Unlike orphan mines, where owners have disappeared and the state is held responsible under the Mining Code, Umicore remains involved and committed to improving the situation as effectively as possible. However, it’s important to recognize the shared history. Effective remediation requires a partnership between the state, companies, and communities to ensure a sustainable and safe environment for future generations.
Focused Remediation Approach
Remediation focuses on measures that effectively reduce and control the sources of historical pollution to ensure the land is compatible with its future uses.
Effective remediation is complex and involves multiple stages. These include feasibility studies which are essential and legally required to identify the most effective remediation methods, based on scenario-planning and best available techniques. This process includes site assessment, the development of remediation strategies, and their implementation in alignment with the authorities. Each stage is carefully planned to address the specific contaminants and environmental conditions.
At historical mining sites in France, the goal is to apply methods that contribute mostly to reducing exposure risks of people or the environment to areas with residues with elevated metals concentration. Methods vary depending on the location and types of pollution. For example, at the Digue or tailings dam in Saint-Félix, Umicore has contained pollutants on-site and controlled access with fences. At the Issart site, Umicore will remove contaminated soil and treat it at appropriate facilities.
Remediations are often accompanied by recommendations or restrictions on land use and precautionary health advice provided by the ARS (Regional Health Agency) to the residents of the municipalities involved.
Umicore is committed to making continuous progress in its remediation efforts and maintaining open lines of communication and collaboration with local authorities and other stakeholders. We collaborate with specialized companies that have expertise in conducting thorough assessments, executing targeted interventions and implementing the necessary safety measures.
Former mining sites in Belgium
The mining sites in Belgium laid the foundation of our Umicore’s predecessor company, Vieille Montagne. The mining concession of the same name was granted by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1805, while over time five more concessions were added, all in eastern Wallonia. The Belgian mining activities ceased in the 1950s and extensive rehabilitation works were carried out at all sites and in close consultation with the competent mining authorities. Four concessions were officially retroceded to the Government, with the remainder ongoing.
Former mining sites in Germany
The first concessions to mine zinc and lead in Germany were acquired in the mid-1800s. Exploitation at most of the concessions ceased in the late 19th to early 20th century, with a handful of mines continuing activities into the middle of that century. The last active mine was closed in 1978.
Several mining concessions located near the cities of Cologne and Koblenz remain in Umicore’s possession. Extensive risk assessment has been carried out with the assistance of specialized consultants. After consultation with the mining authorities, work has been undertaken to further reduce any risks posed by these sites (e.g. from subsidence). Monitoring of the sites is performed on a continuous basis to ensure the safety of the sites.
Former mining sites in The Netherlands
In 1899, the Société des Charbonnages réunis Laura & Vereeniging was founded. The company conducted mining activities at the Laura and Julia mining concessions in South Limburg from 1905 until 1974. The mining rights have been returned to the Dutch state in the meantime.
Former mining sites in the US
In 1980, Union Minière, the predecessor of Umicore, acquired an abandoned silver-gold mine in Platoro, the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Subsequent exploration drillings were unsuccessful and it was decided to stop any attempt to further exploit the mine.
Remedial works started in the 1990s, consisting of capping and landscaping waste rock piles and installing a water treatment plant to capture and treat the acid mine drainage that continuously flows out of the mine. A major upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant was completed in 2018. In addition, smaller improvement projects to the water treatment steps have since been carried out and this will continue in the coming years. This is required as the water run-off is highly seasonal and dependent on natural weather conditions: snowmelt in spring releases large amounts of water into the mine openings that carry metals released from the natural rock with it. As a result, regular adjustments to the treatment steps are required. Umicore will oversee this project on a long-term basis in cooperation with the competent authorities.
