Wismut old locations - Wismut GmbH

Challenges and solutions

With the start of uranium mining in 1946, an entire branch of industry emerged in Saxony and Thuringia - unprecedented in its dimensions. Especially in the Erzgebirge and Vogtland regions, numerous mines, processing plants, dumps and contaminated areas were built. Uranium ore mining, which began so rapidly, was already history in many places by the end of the 1950s. What remained was massive damage to the environment and landscape.

A special task

These sites were not covered by the provisions of the 1991 Wismut Act and are therefore not the responsibility of Wismut GmbH for remediation. There was also no legal obligation for the affected Free States, municipalities or private owners to remediate the legacies. The relics known as contaminated sites were often an intolerable burden on the environment and a considerable risk to public safety. From 1992, the effects were systematically and comprehensively recorded. Thanks to an agreement between the federal government and the Free State of Saxony, the remediation of the first priority projects in Johanngeorgenstadt and Breitenbrunn could begin in 2001.

Joint effort for the environment and safety

With an administrative agreement in 2003 and two subsequent extensions, a total of 445 million euros has been made available for the remediation of Saxony's contaminated sites until 2035. Wismut GmbH has taken over the project management and is implementing the remediation steps. At least half of the work will be outsourced to external partners. A remediation advisory board coordinates the projects and ensures that the contaminated sites are sustainably secured.

Progress in Saxony's communities

By the end of 2024, over 700 renovation projects had been implemented in 46 towns and municipalities in Saxony. These measures not only contribute to the safety of the population, but also to the long-term development of the region.