Students of the Faculty of Mining and Geology planted 300 black pine saplings in Bor
The balance between mining and ecology
Serbia Zijin Copper hosted future environmental protection engineers, who were brought to the mining town and company by professors for field training and professional practice, as well as black pine planting along the road to the “Jama” mine. – This action is part of the company’s broader strategy of preserving natural resources and environmental protection, which we are implementing step by step. A good example is the reclamation of the “High waste piles”, where over 355,000 square meters have been greened so far, said Zhang Yicheng.
BOR. – On the eve of the International Environmental Protection Day, which will be celebrated worldwide on June 5 under the slogan “Journey to a greener future”, Serbia Zijin Copper today hosted future environmental protection engineers, students of the Faculty of Mining and Geology in Belgrade. They were brought to the mining town and company by professors for field teaching and professional practice, as well as organized black pine planting along the road to the “Jama” mine. In less than two hours, they planted 300 conifer saplings at that location.
The guests from Belgrade were welcomed on behalf of the host by the general manager of the Environmental, Social and Governance Department of Serbia Zijin Copper Zhang Yicheng.
– Until five years ago, there was a waste rock disposal site here. Waste material that has been stored for years has turned into “mountains” of muck. We had to first clear, then reclaim the field and only then sow the grass. The green “carpet” is a sign that this location has come to life, and the metamorphosis will be complete in a few years, when the saplings we planted grow and become a beautiful pine forest. This action is part of the company’s broader strategy of preserving natural resources and environmental protection, which we are implementing step by step. So far, Serbia Zijin Copper has invested over USD 200 million in various environmental projects in Bor and Majdanpek. About 200 hectares of degraded area were rehabilitated and 560 thousand seedlings were planted. A good example is the reclamation of “High waste heaps” that we started in Bor, where over 355 thousand square meters have been greened so far – said Zhang Yicheng.
Professor Dr. Aleksandar Cvjetić underlined that the Faculty of Mining and Geology opened the “Environmental Protection Engineering” course a few years ago precisely for the sake of balance between mining and ecology. Mining, he said, does not necessarily have to be an economic branch that destroys the environment.
– Every year at this time, the Faculty of Mining and Geology also organizes field classes for its students, because it is one thing when we describe their future vocation to them, and it is completely different when they see on the spot what they learn through theory. Bor is a town with a mining tradition of more than 100 years, which is why we return to it every year. We are regular visitors and have a very good relationship with the company Serbia Zijin Copper –professor Cvjetić said.
Third-year student Katarina Polić came to Bor for the first time..
–Field teaching means a lot to us, because in practice we can see everything that we are studying for. Professors know how to say that there are no bad decisions in life, only bad engineering solutions, and that is why we try to become good engineers and contribute to the preservation of the environment– she says.
After planting the black pine, the students continued their practical training in other company plants. Officials from the Environmental Protection Department showed them on the spot how mining waters, hazardous waste and dust are treated, as well as how the company takes care of the green area around the largest mine and its accompanying factories. Future academics visited the “Veliki Krivelj” tailings dump, and the wastewater treatment plant near the “Jama” mine.
