Natural ressources

Types of raw materials extracted in the Region of Southern Denmark

In the Region of Southern Denmark, raw materials such as stone, gravel, sand, clay, bentonite and marine clay are extracted. The materials are used for many purposes, including the construction of houses, roads, dikes and other infrastructure.

The Aggregate Plan and its purpose

The Aggregate Plan ("Råstofplanen") sets the framework for the supply and extraction of raw materials within the region. The Region of Southern Denmark is responsible for mapping deposits of sand, gravel, clay and other raw materials and for planning future supplies in a plan that looks at least 12 years ahead.

The plan identifies the focus areas decided by the Regional Council and sets overall guidelines for raw material extraction. It shows where extraction can take place today, and which areas are reserved for future supply. The aim is to ensure access to raw materials while taking nature and environmental protection, urban development and infrastructure into account.

Duration and revision of the Aggregate Plan

The Aggregate Plan covers a 12‑year period. Every four years, the Regional Council must assess whether the plan needs to be revised.

Definition of a ressource deposit

A ressource deposit is defined as soil and rock that can be exploited economically using current extraction and processing technology.

Extraction areas in the Aggregate Plan

Extraction areas are clearly defined areas where, in principle, you can expect to obtain a permit for commercial extraction of raw materials if you apply.

When extraction areas are designated in the Aggregate Plan, the region makes an overall assessment, balancing the raw material resource and business interests against nature, environment, landscape, water supply and other interests.

Within extraction areas, ressource deposits have priority. This means that land use changes such as major construction projects, urban development, afforestation or other activities that could prevent future extraction may not take place without the region’s consent.

Interest areas for future ressource extraction

Interest areas are areas where ressource desposits are expected to be present, but where more detailed investigations and/or a closer assessment of other interests are still needed.

Interest areas are designated to help secure future access to ressource deposits. As in extraction areas, ressource deposits have priority, so major changes in land use (for example new infrastructure, urban development or afforestation) should not be carried out without the Region’s consent if they would prevent future extraction.

Ownership of ressource deposits and responsibility for extraction

The landowner owns the raw materials in the ressource deposit and decides whether to apply for a permit for commercial extraction.

Designation as an extraction area gives the possibility to extract ressources, but there is no obligation to do so. The landowner may apply for an extraction permit and operate the site, but it is common for the landowner to enter into an agreement with a contractor who handles both the application process and day‑to‑day operations.

Geological conditions and location of extraction areas

Geological conditions determine where ressource deposits of commercial interest are found. Sand, gravel and clay were deposited by ice and meltwater during the ice ages, and they are not evenly distributed. Extraction areas are designated where there is a usable deposit and where extraction is considered environmentally feasible.

Environmental assessment of the Aggregate Plan

The environmental assessment is a tool to identify how the extraction of ressource deposits may affect the environment. For extraction areas where a significant impact is expected, specific conditions are set to reduce this impact.

The environmental assessment is part of the Aggregate Plan and is carried out at two levels:

• the detailed level – the significance of extraction in each individual extraction area
• the overall level – the significance of the Mineral Resources Plan for the environment in the Region of Southern Denmark.

Impact of gravel pits on groundwater

In general, extraction of ressource deposits both above and below the groundwater table is not considered a risk to groundwater. Extraction below the groundwater table will usually only cause a small and temporary lowering of the groundwater level locally around the pit.

Ressource extraction in itself is not a polluting activity. However, there may be a risk of oil and fuel spills from machinery and fuel storage. In extraction permits, the Region therefore sets conditions on maintenance, monitoring for oil spills and safe storage of fuels to protect the environment.

In some parts of the region, special attention is needed to pyrite oxidation when excavating below the groundwater table, as this can lead to elevated nickel concentrations in groundwater. In such cases, additional conditions will be included in the permit to protect groundwater.

Protection of nature and the environment in extraction areas

The region designates extraction areas where the overall environmental impact is assessed to be lowest. For each extraction area, the region weighs the value of the ressource deposit against environmental protection, water supply, archaeology, nature, urban development, infrastructure, etc.

Before extraction can begin, a permit is required. When the region processes an application, it assesses the specific conditions at the site and sets conditions for the permit. It is not always possible to extract ressources in the entire designated area. There may, for example, be requirements for distances to protected dikes, cultural heritage sites or wetlands and for monitoring water levels in nearby nature areas.

A plan for after‑use and restoration of the site is also required before a permit can be granted. Former gravel pits are often turned into recreational nature areas once extraction has ended.

Property values and financial compensation

The Region of Southern Denmark has no legal authority to provide financial compensation if a property loses value due to a nearby gravel pit.

Consideration for neighbours and local communities

When an extraction permit is granted, it includes a number of conditions that the operator must comply with. These are based on a case‑by‑case assessment but often include requirements to limit noise and dust.

In cooperation with the operator, the region may for example require that extraction closest to the local community is carried out first, so that the most significant nuisances end as early as possible. Outside the extraction area, the municipality is the road authority and makes the final decision on road access and entrances.

Duration of extraction permits

As a general rule, an extraction permit is valid for 10 years. However, not all ressources in an area are always extracted within that period. In such cases, the contractor will typically apply for a new 10‑year permit to continue extraction.