Vesco Clays Spain has launched the first phase of the land restoration plan at the Encarnita mine, located in the municipality of Berge (Teruel).
At this initial stage, the company will relocate soil and surplus material to previously mined areas situated in the central and western parts of the site. The objective is to partially backfill the mining void and ensure the land remains stable and safe.
To date, mining activity — including stockpiles, waste dumps, and the pit itself — has affected an area of 16 hectares. Of the 600,000 cubic meters of available material, 150,000 cubic meters will be moved to previously exploited areas during this first phase.
The next step will involve preparing the first 0.5 hectares for future reforestation. This biological restoration phase will begin with the spreading of topsoil over the surface, followed by seeding and planting once the ground has naturally settled — a process expected to take place in late 2026 or early 2027.
As Oleksii Afanasiev, CEO of VESCO Clays Spain, explains: “Restoration has been part of our work from day one. We move forward in stages: first stabilizing and reshaping the land from a technical standpoint, and then initiating revegetation. Our goal is to leave the plots in safe conditions and minimize the impact of our activity as much as possible. This is the first step in a process that will continue over the coming years at Encarnita until the completion of our operations.”
The Encarnita mine began operations in December 2023 and continues to operate, combining production progress with the progressive restoration of the affected land.
