- Continued dispute over the Bruchau toxic sludge dump
Citizens' Initiative Persists in Demanding Removal of Toxic Sludge Pond in Brüchau (Altmarkkreis Salzwedel)
A local citizens' initiative continues to insist on the removal of the old toxic waste dump in Brüchau (Altmarkkreis Salzwedel). During a meeting of the Economic Affairs Committee in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament, representatives of the initiative loudly accused Economic Affairs Minister Sven Schulze (CDU) of being a "liar."
The citizens' initiative fears that the dump, which has existed since the DDR era, could be capped and contained, despite the state parliament having decided on an excavation, i.e., an earth removal. In the past, they claim, they were always only given reassurances, criticizes Hubert Wiegmann of the initiative. "Who gives me the guarantee that an alternative is really safe?"
27,000 Tons of Waste, Partly Highly Contaminated
Recently, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the State Office for Geology and Mining (LAGB) had dampened expectations of a quick solution to the conflict surrounding the dump. Currently, there is also a legal dispute ongoing between the state and the responsible company. The pond in Brüchau has existed since DDR times and was used to store, among other things, metallic mercury and other hazardous substances. In June 2020, the state parliament unanimously decided that the pond should be dredged.
The company stated in a position paper that a complete excavation of the toxic sludge pond was not possible because there is no disposal option for some of the waste. This waste amounts to around 27,000 tons, some of which is contaminated with mercury and some of which is radioactive.
The citizens' initiative is still dissatisfied with the Economic Affairs Minister Sven Schulze (CDU) after accusing him of lying during the parliamentary meeting, as they believe a cap and containment solution for the toxic waste dump in Bručau might be proposed instead of an excavation. Despite the state parliament's decision for excavation in June 2020, the company responsible is currently involved in a legal dispute, citing the lack of disposal options for part of the highly contaminated waste, totaling 27,000 tons.
