Environmental reclamation of limestone mining sites in Italy: Financial evaluation, challenges and proposals for sustainable development

Currently the environmental restoration of former extraction sites of limestone materials to be used in construction sector is still an open issue, challenging the opportunities for a more sustainable development of local communities. The present study evaluates the multiple causes underlying the abandonment of former limestone quarries and the lack of their reclamation as well as proposals to promote their environmental restoration. We primarily frame the issue in both the European and Italian regulatory framework. Then, the present study applies an innovative Cost Revenue Analysis to a case study of a generic environmental restoration project of a former extractive limestone site. Such analysis deepens on investment and operating costs, revenues, Net Present Value and Revenue/Costs ratio. Results show that restoration activities, performed in agreement with current regulations, involving the creation of terraces in embankments by means of excavation materials from external construction sites or even acting directly on the existing quarry, are currently discouraging for entrepreneurs, since they do not generate enough revenues to cover the costs of restoration. As a result, we suggest some solutions to strengthen the current regulatory and political framework, to make the restoration activities more convenient in financial terms. Such solutions would be also beneficial for the society and environment.