WHEN DEBRIS GENERATES VALUE From the control of alterations to the valorisation of mining heritage

Abstract

The general crisis of mining sector in the 60s and 70s leaves a huge amount of traces dispersed throughout Spain. Besides that, extractive operations provoke serious alterations on the natural environment that start to be controlled by legal regulations which are being renovated since the 80s. In this context, restoration works get place in various mining sites which in the beginning are limited to simple landscape interventions. Since environmental awareness increases, some more ambitious projects start to appear. At the same time, mines start to be valued as places of memory and local identity. However, the necessity to eliminate contamination results, in many cases, to the destruction of mining heritage. The article examines the evolution of mining legislation in relation to restoration projects. And secondly, some reflections are offered on the difficult balance between environmental remediation and heritage valorisation through examples from Spain.