Closing down of industrial waste and semi-coke landfills

Disposal of oil shale waste

Oil shale has been the major source of primary energy in Estonia. For many years, the oil shale industry has deposited its wastes in Kohtla-Järve and Kivioli municipalities in North-Eastern Estonia. Total area of landfills is approx. 150 ha. More than 100 million tons of semi-coke and fly ash have been deposited causing pollution of both surface and groundwater. Pollutants such as aromatics, PAH’s and phenols have been detected. The Estonian state has planned to close down the landfills by the year 2013.

Reduction of pollution

The specific objective of this project was to carry out the preparatory work necessary for the investment phase. The overall objective of the project is to achieve environmental safety of the Kohtla-Järve and Kiviõli semi-coke landfills as well as a reduction of the environmental pollution with socially reasonable expenses in compliance with EU directives and Estonian legislation in the waste and water sector.

Main tasks carried out were:  

• Inception report of the project
• Topographical and geological investigations and reports of the landfills and surface water collection and treatment system
• Feasibility study and technical solutions for closing semi-coke and ash hills 
• Financial analysis, cost-benefit analysis, economic analysis 
• Environmental impact assessment report and health impact assessment report 
• Organizational-institutional structure for the implementation of the prepared project 
• Procurement, financing and implementation plans 
• Cohesion Fund Investment application
• Tender documentation to the closure of the landfill on the “design and build” method

Ramboll’s services included: 

• Project Management
• Preparation of Feasibility Study
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Technical design
• Investment program
• Tender documents
• Preparation of Cohesion Fund Application
• Quality Control