The Successful Transformation of Horní Suchá: From a Mine to an Industrial Zone

A small coal community in Horní Suchá, in the Czech Republic, faced unemployment and numerous environmental challenges following the closure of its mine in the late 1990s.

The years of extracting millions of tons of coal and employing thousands of workers were over. It seemed that the community's potential was exhausted. However, as time has shown, this was only the beginning.

The local authorities took on a tremendous responsibility by deciding to transform the old mine into an industrial zone. At that time, it was an unprecedented decision, and Horní Suchá became the first community in the country to take such a step. There was no one to learn from, no experience to draw on, no money, and not even a law that allowed the municipality to acquire the mine's territory.

Fortunately, the central government supported the municipality. The reconstruction of the area was co-financed by the state budget, and several laws were even specially amended. Finding a single investor was challenging, so the focus shifted to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Some buildings were renovated, some were demolished, and others were expanded. Sludge ponds and new reservoirs also appeared within the community's territory. In 2005, the state finally transferred the mine’s property to the municipality free of charge. Five years later, the large-scale "František" industrial zone was opened, creating numerous new jobs and boosting the local budget. Importantly, this successful transformation was achieved on land devastated by industry, with no new green spaces being occupied.

The industrial zone spurred the development of subsequent projects, the emergence of new enterprises, and the implementation of various business initiatives in the following years.

Recently, a unique energy enterprise called "Horní Suchá" also began operating. It is capable of processing up to 20,000 tons of waste per year, producing 3,200,000 m³ of environmentally friendly natural gas and 1,200 tons of concentrated organic fertilizers that return essential nutrients to the fertile soil.