A New Life of a Spoil Heap: Revitalisation Strategies for (geo)tourism and Recreation

Abstract Spoil heaps are one of the distinguishing features of the post-industrial landscape, creating many problems in terms of reclamation and possible revitalisation. The aim of this paper is to review and classify the directions of spoil heap revitalisation in selected mining areas of Central Europe (Germany, Poland, Czech Republic) and to determine the importance of geotourism among the new functions assigned to spoil heaps. Based on the analysed examples, two directions of spoil heap revitalisation can be identified. The first is the preservation of identity – conservation of the shape of the heap and its exposure as evidence of former or disappearing mining activity. The second direction is a change of identity, which is achieved through aestheticisation and the assignment of new meanings. Unfortunately, spoil heaps are neglected in the context of geotourism development, even though learning about the origins of these forms and the processes taking place on their surface and in their depths would allow for a better understanding of the effects of human exploitation of natural resources. Basically every spoil heap (including those that have been fully reclaimed and revitalised) has some potential for the development of geotourism, although sometimes the narrative will refer to processes that can no longer be observed.