Overview of existing information on important closed (or in closing phase) and abandoned mining waste sites and related mines in Slovenia

Slovenia's mining legacy leaves a significant environmental footprint, with closed and abandoned metal mines generating approximately 11.6 million cubic meters of waste across 33 sites, while coal mines contribute about 76.2 million cubic meters from 43 locations. The Mežica lead and zinc mine alone accounts for over half (64%) of metal mining waste, followed by the Idrija mercury mine (18%) and the Žirovski vrh uranium mine (15%). Among coal mines, Trbovlje-Hrastnik dominates with 46% of waste, while Kočevje and Kanižarica contribute 28% and 17%, respectively. This comprehensive inventory, compiled by the Geological Survey of Slovenia over two decades, maps 33 metal mines, 43 coal mines, 51 non-metallic mineral sites, and 174 waste sites, providing a critical foundation for assessing environmental impacts under EU Directive 2006/21/EC. The data, accessible via an open-access Google Earth file, highlights the need for further research into the long-term effects of mining waste on Slovenian ecosystems.

Gosar, M., Šajn, R., Miler, M., Burger, A., & Bavec, Š. (2020). Overview of existing information on important closed (or in closing phase) and abandoned mining waste sites and related mines in Slovenia. Geologija, 63(2), 221–250. https://doi.org/10.5474/geologija.2020.018