STorAgE

Heavy Rainfall Prevention in Open-Pit Mines

Introduction

The project „Heavy Rainfall Prevention in Open-Pit Mines; or a New Type of Regional Flood Protection to Relieve Water Bodies in the Context of Climate Change“ (STorAgE) is an innovative initiative addressing the challenges of flood prevention in the context of climate change. By utilizing active and decommissioned open-pit mines as retention areas, the project aims to achieve a resource-efficient and land-conserving reduction of flood risks and damages. This project presents a forward-looking solution to relieve water bodies and minimize flood risks.

Project Objectives

The main objective of the STorAgE project is to assess the potential of open-pit mines as retention areas for flood prevention and to define the necessary measures. Specific goals include:

• Risk and Utilization Potential Analysis: Investigating the suitability of open-pit mining sites in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) for flood retention.
• Development of an Action Guide: Creating a practical guide for implementing the use of open-pit mines as a flood protection measure.
• Raising Awareness and Involving Stakeholders: Promoting awareness and acceptance of this innovative flood protection measure among municipal decision-makers and stone and earth industry operators.
• Sustainable Flood Prevention: Contributing to the reduction of flood damage through the implementation of sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.

Work Packages

The STorAgE project is divided into seven strategic work packages, all coordinated to achieve the project objectives:

1. Project Management and Reporting
2. Risk and Utilization Potential Assessment
3. Water Storage Potential
4. Hydro-Numerical Analysis
5. Legal Framework and Stakeholder Analysis
6. Evaluation and Dissemination
7. Final Report and Scientific Publications

Environmental Relevance

Flood events pose a significant threat to humans and the environment, causing substantial financial damage and affecting natural habitats and water quality. The STorAgE project addresses these challenges by innovatively using open-pit mines as retention areas, significantly reducing flood risks. This approach conserves natural areas and reduces the contamination of surface waters. The project’s environmentally friendly and sustainable approach offers an effective solution to adapting to climate-related changes and supports the long-term preservation of natural resources.

Conclusion

The STorAgE project represents a groundbreaking and environmentally friendly method for flood prevention by efficiently utilizing existing open-pit mine infrastructure. Through detailed scientific investigations, the development of a practical action guide, and the involvement of relevant stakeholders, the project makes a significant contribution to climate change adaptation and improved flood protection. The project’s results and findings have the potential to be applied to other regions, making a substantial contribution to global flood prevention efforts.