Sibelco's silica quarry in Donk (Belgium) has experienced a major transformation. Even while still in use, it offers added value for recreation, nature conservation and water management. The quarry has been converted into a climate pond for water buffering. This transformation makes it a key project within the Blue Deal initiative. The redesign includes a special viewpoint, a new footpath and a cycle path, providing recreational opportunities and attracting wild pollinators, which significantly boost nature development.
Sibelco supports both the Blue Deal and Green Deal and is working alongside numerous partners to achieve these goals together.
This project has roots in our region. Bringing together economy, science, nature, tourism & partners in unprecedented ways. It’s in Sibelco's DNA to create this kind of added value for our society,’
Bart Daems
Sustainability Director Central Europe
Climate pond - Blue Deal
By installing an adjustable lock at the Donk overflow, we can now regulate the continuously water flow from the Donk quarry into the Witte Nete river. The lock is part of the ‘KlimaatPlassen’ (Climate ponds) demo project within the Blue Deal project Flanders WaterProof, led by VITO. In this demo project, VITO, Sibelco, the governor of the province of Antwerp, Pipda, the Flemish government and more partners are in collaboration to find smart solutions for water buffering in this part of the Kempen region in Belgium.
‘Together we can make an impactful contribution and water security for the future,’
clarifies Inge Neven, CEO of VITO (Flemish independent research organisation in the field of cleantech and sustainable development).
The special lock makes it possible to buffer up to 150,000 m³ of water. It also offers the possibility of using the daily overflow flow of about 10,000 m³ as an alternative water source.
We will look at how the buffered water can be an alternative for the water consumption of local farmers.
‘The lock allows the water level to rise by 50 cm,’ says provincial governor Cathy Berx.
‘This project is therefore very valuable because it ensures that we are less likely to have to impose a capture ban on farmers, and can give them a greater guarantee of water availability.’
Our Sibelco quarry is an example of nature development and landscaping - Green Deal
At the Sibelco Donk quarry Sibelco is still mining high-quality silica sand for more than a century. In its surroundings, great efforts have been made in recent years to promote nature development. The west and north sides of this quarry have now been landscaped to make them not only a particularly attractive destination for walkers, but also an ideal breeding ground for biodiversity. Heathlands were created along the western side. With the ongoing reconstruction of the quarry with clean soil, extensive reed marshes will develop there in the future. In the northwest corner, an adventure path was created what opens into a viewpoint. This viewpoint is ideal for birdwatchers, who will have a direct view of the many birds on the quarry. The verges were planted with gorse and is fantastic for bees and butterflies that find nectar there. Sibelco is therefore a partner in the ‘Green Deal Wild Pollinators and Diggers’.
This event took place early July and was attended by a lot of neigbours, the Governor and some deputies of the Antwerp Province, the Dessel Mayor, authorities and NGO’s, media & press, partners and Sibelco colleagues.
Partners:
Within the ‘KlimaatPlassen’ demo space, VITO works together with Governor Cathy Berx, Sibelco, PIDPA, De Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij, Voka Mechelen-Kempen, Province of Antwerp, De Vlaamse Waterweg, Het Agentschap Natuur en Bos, Mol municipality and Dessel municipality.
