2015. 11. 01..
Colas Északkő began a long-term research to map the natural habitat of the protected species in the area and vicinity of active quarries.
The European Union’s environmental directives also affect the plants of Colas Északkő Kft. The company’s quarries and their surroundings were categorised as Natura 2000 nature-protection areas, and are therefore subject to special regulations regarding the conservation of wild birds. Although mining activities have an indisputable impact on the environment, this effect is not necessarily destructive. We firmly believe that we can co-exist with protected species in harmony by adapting our activities and paying special attention.
The protection of birds nesting at our mining plants represents one of the most crucial issues, especially when it comes to the highly-protected eagle owl, which is one of the species appearing most frequently in our quarries. This nocturnal bird of prey – native to Europe and Asia – is highly sensitive to changes in its habitat and environment, and enjoys a highly protected status in Hungary. At certain mining sites, we often restrict our activities for the sake of safeguarding eagle owls. The chief purpose of the ongoing research project is to draw up a species-specific protection programme, which would facilitate the preservation of the Hungarian eagle owl population, while also enabling us to extract the mineral resources from our quarries.
The first phases of the research were kicked off in our Szob and Kesztölc plants. Scheduled to come to a close in December 2019, the programme is set to cover other mining sites of Colas Északkő as well, while six nests and 25 birds will be studied each year. Experts are looking for answers to crucial questions such as the effects of mining activities on birds’ behaviour, the attachment of birds to their territory when seeking a nesting place, the primary factors endangering eagle owls, and the types of habitats preferred by them.
Since such a comprehensive study has been unprecedented both in Hungary and internationally, the research conducted by Colas Északkő Kft. will definitely be pioneering in its nature.
