Scientists and miners are speechless when they see what grew in mining waste rubble after an experiment

What was once a barren pile of rubble has exploded with life. In southern Poland, a mining waste heap in Jankowice-Północ now overflows with wildflowers, thanks to a scientific experiment co-financed by the European Union.

The initiative, led by the Polish Mining Group (PGG) and the country’s Central Mining Institute (GIG-PIB), used a mineral-organic mix that revived native plant species, attracted pollinators, and helped the soil retain water. For locals—and the scientists themselves—the transformation has been nothing short of astonishing.

How scientists brought dead land back to life

The test site covered nearly 10,800 square feet, an area that once looked destined to remain lifeless. Researchers first studied the properties of the sterile rock left behind by mining. Then they engineered a recovery mixture using ground rock combined with stabilized sewage sludge from a municipal treatment plant.

This unique blend, enhanced with a special soil-forming agent, created fertile conditions without introducing invasive weeds. The experiment was first trialed in a controlled setting at the Barbara Experimental Mine before being applied outdoors in Jankowice.

By late spring, the treated site was sown with native seeds. Within months, the bare mound was covered in plants, which quickly spread to surrounding sections.

A green solution with economic promise

The experiment is part of the international REECOL project, which develops methods to restore post-mining landscapes. Its goal is not only environmental—restoring degraded land—but also economic, creating sustainable ways to use areas once written off as useless.

Experts believe the approach could help revive drought-stricken zones, offer green spaces for recreation, and shield fragile habitats from invasive species. For mining regions worldwide, this method could mark a turning point in balancing profitability and sustainability.

“We wanted a soil that gives life”

Bartłomiej Bezak, head of the Innovative Projects Team at PGG, explained to the local media outlet Nowiny how the soil mix was developed:

“The scientists used a special additive designed to help soils form, first tested in an earlier project. By grinding sterile rock and mixing it with stabilized sludge, we created a base that is nutrient-rich, free of weeds, and ideal for vegetation.”

The team’s findings show that even land devastated by industrial activity can host biodiversity again. And with climate change intensifying droughts and ecosystem loss, solutions like this could soon be in high demand across Europe—and beyond.

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