Puntos de Interés
Geology
Buseiro mine
The Buseiro mine, situated in the Peña de los Carbayones between the municipalities of Tineo and Cangas del Narcea, is an open-cast mine that played a significant role as an economic engine for the region until its definitive closure in the second decade of the 21st century.
The mine was part of the mining sites in the Narcea River basin and supplied coal to the Soto de la Barca thermal power station from 1991 to 2013.
During its active years, the Buseiro mine contributed to the extraction of approximately 184,400 tonnes of coal per year, primarily anthracite, known for its slow-burning properties and high calorific value. However, the decline in coal prices and the increasing emphasis on renewable energies in Spain as a result of the depletion of domestic coal seams and the global commitment of developed nations to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, a significant contributor to global warming, led to the cessation of mining activity and the subsequent closure of the associated thermal power plant, Soto de la Barca, in 2020.
The abandoned mine site is now undergoing a process of recovery and rehabilitation. To address the scars left by mining, measures are being taken to clear and clean up the affected area. Subsequently, around 1.3 million m³ of earth will be mobilized to cover the 77 hectares of degraded land. Stabilization measures will be implemented to prevent erosion, and the deposited soil may pave the way for potential alternative uses, such as establishing a photovoltaic or wind farm or cultivating crops like blueberries or other fruit trees.
The recovery efforts are being led by the Institute for Just Transition (ITJ), an entity within the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITERD). Collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Principality of Asturias, is made possible through funding from the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, approved by the European Council in 2020 to address the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.