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Transformation process in the coalfield: Lausitz as a role model for Australia!
The TU Freiberg plays a central role in the transformation process of Lusatia and promotes sustainable mining rehabilitation and an innovative circular economy.
Transformation process in the coalfield: Lausitz as a role model for Australia!
A variety of transformation projects are underway in Lusatia, which can be viewed as a model for other regions, especially Australia. In this region, which is heavily influenced by the mining and energy industries, numerous mining companies in Australia, especially in the Hunter Valley, are facing closure. Recently reported the TU Freiberg that a delegation from administration, business and science from Australia visited the engineers and experiences of mine closure in Germany in order to learn from the lessons.
Through the challenges of change in recent decades, Lusatia has developed into an example of successful strategies. Experiences from the unprepared closures of the 1990s are now being used to promote the attractive settlement of follow-on industries. The current transformation process aims to both improve the municipal infrastructure and facilitate the influx of people.
Important measures and innovative approaches
The important measures in the ongoing transformation process include relocating offices, improving transport connections and expanding municipal infrastructure. Successful practical examples are characterized by the tourist use of the mining lakes in the Lusatian lake landscape, which are linked to nature conservation and water management projects. This is where it plays TU Bergakademie Freiberg a crucial role, particularly in the areas of science, innovation and geotechnical safety.
The university also offers a master's degree program in “Sustainable Mining and Remediation Management”, which has been training international students since 2012. Furthermore, the international conference “Mine Closure” took place in 2018, which dealt in detail with mine rehabilitation.
As part of the transformation measures, a new research campus, the “Green Circular Economy” (CircEcon) research campus, was formed. This was launched on April 5, 2024 by the Technical Universities of Chemnitz, Dresden, Freiberg and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. The Goal The project is to develop a greenhouse gas-neutral circular economy, which is to be implemented by the end of 2026.
Investments and research priorities
The total investment amounts to over 108 million euros, of which around 48 million euros are earmarked for the construction of the center and around 60 million euros for the equipment. The Technical University of Dresden has taken over the coordination of the construction work. CircEcon is intended to create a technology network in the field of circular economy that is unique in Europe and to help develop the Lausitz region into an internationally visible technology region.
One focus is on the development of new technologies that enable the recycling and reuse of materials, especially fiber composite materials from wind turbines. Modern methods such as digitalization and artificial intelligence are used here.
These developments are in line with the current federal government, as part of the Territorial Agenda 2030 focused on the circular economy. The aim of the pilot campaign is to examine and promote regional circular economy approaches in rural model regions.
An integrative approach promotes the sustainable transformation of the economy and society, with the aim of realizing not only economic, but also social and ecological benefits. These initiatives could play a significant role in managing the structural change initiated by the phase-out of coal-fired power generation by 2038.