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Hanover (dpa / lni) - The Greens in the Lower Saxony state parliament have campaigned against expanding gypsum mining in the southern Harz. In an application on Thursday they turned against the designation of further areas for the dismantling of the building material. The so-called Gypsum Peace, concluded in 2002, in which the areas for dismantling were determined together with environmental associations, must be adhered to. The state of Lower Saxony has a responsibility to protect the unique natural landscape in the southern Harz. In addition to the Greens, environmental groups are also protesting against the expansion of mining areas.
"At the expense of nature, another 40 hectares are to be released for gypsum mining in the gypsum karst landscape of the southern Harz, according to the draft for the new regional spatial planning program," said the Green MP Christian Meyer. This is not about small-scale expansions or even a compromise, the design is a resounding success for the plaster lobby. Instead, the expansion plan must be canceled and biological diversity protected. "Thuringia has already started the process for a transnational biosphere reserve Südharzer Gipskarst." Saxony-Anhalt also wants to take part in preserving this globally unique gypsum karst landscape.
The Minister of Agriculture Barbara Otte-Kinast (CDU), who is responsible for spatial planning, countered the Greens that it was not about large-scale expansions but rather examining small additions to the mining areas.
The regional spatial planning program is currently being revised, and all statements and interests are carefully weighed up.
The ministry cannot shorten this democratic process.
The planned gypsum mining areas on the Lower Saxony side are located in the old district of Osterode.
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As early as 2019, several environmental associations sent an open letter to the Prime Ministers of Lower Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt to preserve the gypsum karst landscape in the southern Harz, which is unique in Europe, for future generations. In the Lower Saxony part of the gypsum karst landscape, over 50 percent of the areas with near-surface gypsum have already been mined.
As the Ministry of Agriculture explained, the need for further gypsum mining arises from the exit from coal-fired power generation.
Up until now, gypsum, the so-called FGD gypsum, fell off there during the flue gas desulphurisation of coal-fired power plants.
The gap cannot be closed by recycling gypsum alone.
Plaster of paris is mainly used in drywall and lightweight construction, for example for partition walls and suspended ceilings.
The majority of the approximately ten million tons of gypsum required annually in Germany come from mining areas in the southern Harz, i.e. from Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210429-99-407050 / 2
Agenda of the state parliament session