Open pit mining exploitation involves a considerable change in the geomorphology of the region, especially through the development of deep qurries. The remaining gaps resulting from cessation of the open pit mining operations have impressive dimensions and a major negative impact. In addition to radically changing the landscape that causes a negative visual impact, open pit mining exploitation has a major impact on the land, which is manifested by diversion from its original uses, land quality degradation, destruction of ecosystems, affecting local communities and the worsening of the quality of life. One of the major problems arising from the exploitation of lignite in quarries is the quantitative damage to groundwater resources due to the need for aquifer dewatering, a process that leads to a lower water level and which has a significant impact on vegetation and local communities (incapacity of plants to supply water, wells drying up etc.). Water filling of the remaining gap is a method used frequently worldwide and has numerous benefits regardless of the use of pit lakes. The choice of remaining gaps that are suitable for water filling must be based on an appropriate assessment, taking into account a number of essential criteria for the success of obtaining safely, long-term beneficial results. Considering the location of the remaining gap of North Peșteana quarry, the type of use of the adjacent lands and following the climatic history that highlights many dry periods, but also their frequency in the past 8 years, this paper analyzes the necessity and the possibility of supplementing the natural water reserves by creating a water reservoir for crops irrigation in order to support the regional agricultural industry. The aim of the paper is to increase the level of recovery and reuse of degraded mining lands at national and global level and to highlight the many advantages that these practices have on the environment and human communities. Recovering the remaining gap of North Peșteana quarry and reintegrating it into the landscape as a waterreservoir for irrigation has major environmental and economic benefits, contributing to the sustainable development of the region.

crops irrigation, open pit flooding, remaining gaps, remaining gaps reuse, water reservoir

environmental engineering

Presentation: oral