Bełchatów mine reclamation plan approved to create large reservoir

An administrative decision has been issued to outline the reclamation of the Bełchatów field following the end of coal mining operations. The plan, prepared by PGE GiEK S.A. Bełchatów Brown Coal Mine, aims to transform the post-mining area into a massive water and forest complex.

The project involves creating a water reservoir covering 1,556 hectares in the final excavation site, alongside 410 hectares of forest reclamation on surrounding lands. This development is intended to restore the ecological and utility value of the area while providing new social and environmental functions.

Beyond recreation, the reservoir is expected to serve a strategic role in the region's energy transition. The existing drainage system and the future reservoir could provide the necessary water resources for the construction and operation of a planned nuclear power plant in Bełchatów, specifically for reactor cooling systems.