Construction works for the creation of an artificial lake of 40,000 cubic metres at the Amiandos Asbestos Mine are underway. In the centre of the lake, an islet will be formed, which will act as a bird sanctuary.
The project, which is expected to be completed in about a year will be enriched by roads and pathways.
The President of the Community Council of Amiandos village, Kriton Kyriakides, stated that the area has been upgraded because the dam, the botanical gardens of A.G. Leventis and the Troodos National Forest Park have contributed to the development of the community and the wider region.
According to Kyriakides, the community suffered from the operations of the asbestos mine because it led to the loss of lives and fortunes. Today, however, he points out that “soil covering, tree planting and the reforestation of the area have eliminated the dangers posed by asbestos. Restoration works were implemented through European funds.”
It should be noted that the Amiandos Asbestos mine is the largest in stock of chrysotile asbestos in Europe, it has an area of 12 square kilometres and is found at an altitude of about 1,500 metres above sea level.
The aim of the reforestation is to restore the natural landscape and the environment in the mining area. Additional works, such as soil covering, planting of trees, shrubs and sowing, help ensure the stability of debris and drastically reduce exposed asbestos fibers.
Photographs of the artificial lake in the Amiandos Asbestos Mine have been published by Cyprus From Air.
