European Minerals Foundation




	introduction \| site restoration \| maximizing the natural resource \| employee involvement in health & safety \| sustaining a rural economy \| renaturalization of a river area \| innovative regional development \| operational best practice \| conserving natural heritage \| working with a fishery association \| reducing employee accidents \| lowering emissions \| developing geo-tourism \| health & safety best practice \| local community partnership \| facilities for local organisations \| protection of species - biotopes \| decreasing environmental impacts \| cooperation with regional authorities Operational Best Practice THE PFAFFENBODEN PROJECT BACKGROUND The headquarters of Bernegger Bau GmbH is located near Molln in Upper Austria in the region of a National Park. It was founded by Barbara and Karl Bernegger in the year 1947 and developed into one of the major employers in the region. Currently more than 420 persons are employed in the areas of quarrying and processing of minerals, in building construction, civil engineering and industrial construction as well as in the production of high quality building materials for the construction sector. Around 400.000 tonnes of limestone are annually converted in Molln into high quality products from grinding mills and machines which are used by the technical and chemical industry as well as by the fertiliser and animal feed producers and for the technical environment equipment. ACTION Facing the end of extraction at the Gaisberg site in a few years time, the company realized its vision for ensuring a sustainable supply of raw materials for its processing facilities and for retaining the Molln location. It constructed a 3,5 km and 15% gradient tunnel in order to develop a new site, shaped as a 16,4 ha wide funnel. The extraction area enables the reduction of environmental impact and is only visible from a few external points. To reduce further environmental effects, the pre-crushed limestone is transported by a conveyer belt system instead of by truck. RESULTS This innovative project has secured the supply of resources, employment opportunities for the next three generations and the recultivation of the Gaisberg site. The 'Pfaffenboden' extraction area successfully brought together economic, social and environmental interests. introduction \| site restoration \| maximizing the natural resource \| employee involvement in health & safety \| sustaining a rural economy \| renaturalization of a river area \| innovative regional development \| operational best practice \| conserving natural heritage \| working with a fishery association \| reducing employee accidents \| lowering emissions \| developing geo-tourism \| health & safety best practice \| local community partnership \| facilities for local organisations \| protection of species - biotopes \| decreasing environmental impacts \| cooperation with regional authorities