Kairi Otsiver
Project Manager
Mining
We mine with a minimal footprint
We are the leaders in the mining industry
Eesti Energia mines oil shale in two quarries. With our 100 years of experience, we valorise oil shale more efficiently than ever before, and our expertise is valued worldwide.
At the same time, Eesti Energia is moving in a direction where a significant amount of energy is produced from renewable and alternative sources.
More efficient mining and new technologies
We mine oil shale in the underground cole mine Estonia and in the Narva quarry. We clean up the areas mined: plant forests, prepare farmland or find other uses for such areas.
In order to reduce the impact on the environment, we are also planning to start underground mining in the Narva quarry, using the longwall mining technology.
More environmentally friendly and safer mining
Improved method for the extraction of Cambrian lava
In addition to chamber mining, the Estonia mine uses an advanced Cambrian lava technology. Thus, the ground remains intact, but mining takes place at several times over a length of approximately 700 meters.
The advantage of this method is the small volume of preparatory work that helps keep the price of oil shale competitive.
There are no additional environmental impacts.
Contribution to the circular economy
Oil shale and limestone are layered in the Earth's crust. For energy production, limestone must be separated from oil shale. A wider use of limestone as an enrichment residue increases the added value of the oil shale industry.
We are cooperating with construction and road construction companies and looking for new applications for the by-product.
The quality of limestone from mining has also been studied by TalTech who confirm its suitability for rail and road construction, including the Rail Baltic.
Collaboration with locals to build the Uus-Kiviõli mine
Although a lot of our energy comes from renewable and alternative sources, we do need oil shale for production. We cooperate with Alutaguse and Lüganuse municipalities and develop the Uus-Kiviõli mine. The Environmental Board has issued a permit to Eesti Energia which allows mining up to six million tonnes of oil shale per year over a period of 30 years.
If you have any questions regarding the new mine, we will be happy to answer them.
In questions regarding the uus-kiviõli mine you will be helped by
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