Applying for environmental information in mining

In Germany, the government and public administration bodies actively inform the general public about the environment. Every person is entitled to free access to environmental information via these bodies that are obliged to provide information.

Environmental information provides information about

• the state of the environment, human health and safety,
• factors, activities and measures that have an impact on the environment,
• environmental law,
• political programs relating to the environment.

You can also request specific data from the authorities yourself, for example on air and water quality and data on biotopes and protected areas.

If you wish to receive certain environmental information, you can apply to the competent authority. You do not have to prove a legal interest.

In the mining sector, for example, the following information is of interest:

• Flow paths and nature of ground and surface water,
• effects on soil, fauna and flora and
• Holders and terms of mining licenses in a particular area.

You can gain access to environmental information, for example, by requesting information or inspecting files.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the following information is considered environmental information:

• The state of environmental elements such as air and atmosphere, water, soil, landscape and natural habitats including wetlands, coastal and marine areas, biodiversity and its components,
• Data or summaries of data from the monitoring of activities that have or are likely to have an impact on the environment,
• authorization decisions that have a significant impact on the environment and environmental agreements,
• summaries and assessments of environmental impacts in the context of environmental impact assessments,
• the texts of international treaties, European law and federal, state, local and municipal legislation on the environment or relating to the environment, and
• reports on the status of implementation of legal provisions as well as concepts, plans and programs, provided that such reports have been prepared by the respective bodies in electronic form. have been prepared or are available in electronic form.