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SCHLEMA. Toxic Town to Health Spa. Where is SCHLEMA?. SCHLEMA is a small town south west of Chemnitz. It is in Saxony , a region in Eastern Germany that has a southerly border with The Czech Republic. SCHLEMA. Historical SCHLEMA. Originally Iron, Copper, Cobalt and Silver were mined.
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SCHLEMA Toxic Town to Health Spa
Where is SCHLEMA? • SCHLEMA is a small town south west of Chemnitz. • It is in Saxony, a region in Eastern Germany that has a southerly border with The Czech Republic. SCHLEMA
Historical SCHLEMA • Originally Iron, Copper, Cobalt and Silver were mined. • In the 1920’s a radioactive spring was discovered; this was used to treat rheumatism. • After the Second World War everything changed…do you knowWHY?
SCHLEMA 1945-1990 • In 1947 the occupying Soviet force began the mining of Uranium for use in nuclear weapons, this was a form of “reparation”. • The town and spa grounds were completely sacrificed.
Unification 1990 • In 1990 the mine was closed down at the cost of over 45,000 jobs. • The Soviets left Schlema with this…
What were the alternatives for SCHLEMA? • The whole area was contaminated so it could be sealed off. • The mine could still be operated to produce Uranuim. • The town could be converted in to a Health Spa using its radioactive waters to treat the sick again.
Redeveloping SCHLEMA • In 1992 Wismut Gmbh began to decommission the former mine workings and actively rehabilitate the landscape. • It will cost DM 13 million and will take 15 years to complete.
Attractions in SCHLEMA • These include: • Radon-containing medicinal springs • Spa gardens • Hiking trails • Golf courses • Cycleways • Tennis courts
The SCHLEMA success • Having been around the full circle of development can SCHLEMA be seen as a success story?…you decide.