Olena Remezova works as the Head of the Minerals Department at the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NAS of Ukraine). She is a doctor of geological sciences and was the supervisor of her dissertation research on amber deposits in Ukraine.
On behalf of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, he cooperates with the Polish Academy of Sciences.The scientist participates in international scientific conferences on, among other things, monitoring geological processes and environmental ecology, subsoil use and maintenance of deposits. She prepares reports on Ukrainian amber, researches the history of the stone, and initiates ideas for exhibitions and festivals in Ukraine.
Amber: what plants, such a color
Amber is tree resinthat grew on Earth 30-50 million years ago. At one time, this resin got into peat or other organic matter, and from there rivers carried it to the sea. There, at the bottom of the sea, it turned into stone, explains Ms. Remezova.
Ukrainian amber is interesting because it has dozens, and even hundreds, of different shades."
Amber Way: an idea for a Ukrainian festival
In the past, amber was used by representatives of different cultures.
Archaeologists have found more than 1,500 artifacts made of stone near the village of Hordiivka in Vinnytsia region. It was probably a burial ground where priests or aristocrats were buried, Ms. Remezova suggests.
The Scythians made amber beads, i.e. used the stone as a decoration.
Ukraine was part of the The Amber WayThe ancient route along which trade was carried out. The gem may have served as a money.
This way, along with stone, technology was also spread.
In Germany and Scandinavia, swords ended in a circle or an amber apple. It was a symbol that seemed to give strength. By the way, the production of this weapon partially coincided with the Amber Road."
It is important to take up this style and tradition and develop it, as Poland does, the scholar concludes.
It is safe to extract amber with pumps
Today, Ukrainians have an extremely negative attitude towards amber mining with pumps. However, Polish scientists have long developed this method for subsoil users and described it in instructions of the Ministry of Naturepublished in 2010.
What is hydromechanical scouring? Under the pressure of water, the amber-bearing stratum is eroded at depth, explains Olena Remezova. This mixture is then brought to the surface, where amber stones are caught using devices and nets.
In order to apply the hydromechanical method rationally, the scientist explains, it is necessary to take into account depth.
People often complain that there are pumps in Kukhotska. But we can't extract anything there. The top will be captured, and the rest will fall to the bottom. This is not normal. If the technologists have calculated all the parameters, then this is how it should be done."
The hydromechanical method is not the only one used by the Poles. If the reservoirs are sufficiently waterlogged, the specialists use dredger. This device sucks up a mixture of soil and amber at shallow depths, says Olena Remezova.
Of course, it is also mined using quarries.
We need to choose a rational technology. I said that there is mine mining, hydraulic mining, different types of mining, combined mining. Polish articles and textbooks describe what parameters and what to choose."
In Ukraine, only the open-pit method of amber extraction is certified. However, in small areas - up to ten hectares - it is sometimes more expedient to use the hydromechanical method, says Olena Remezova.
To get it certified, you need to contact the geological service.
But the problem is that they are staffed by economists and lawyers who are not very knowledgeable about these issues. If you look at the British and Australian geological services, geologists predominate there. Therefore, it is easier to prove such thoughts. I believe that we should have reform of this service. It shouldn't be a license store."
Poles turn their fields into parks
Olena Remezova worked in joint working groups of the Ukrainian and Polish academies of sciences. Together, the scientists searched for optimal solutions for the mined-out quarries. As a result, the Poles have built ski resorts on the site of the deposits. By the way, the future fate of the sites is decided by local residents, while subsoil users implement it. This is part of the reclamation phase.
At the site of the Gurka Liubartovska field, which is currently being developed, the locals said they wanted a park, a water pool where they could fish, go boating, relax, or something like that."
There is an example where a ski center was built on the site of mines and waste dumps at the request of local residents. In another place, a quarry was flooded to cultivate water sports.
Poles are reminded of the former mining operations at the locations only by memorial signsMs. Remezova concludes.
There are different types of reclamation: not only technical, when you level the land and that's it. There is biological, agricultural, when they plan to grow something. They are also developing these techniques."
Similar types of reclamation can be applied in Ukraine. In particular, peat or fertilizers should be applied to the site of the trenches left by miners to create artificial soils.
Polissya landscapes have high potential for self-recovery, says Olena Remezova.
Ukrainian amber needs a brand
In order for Ukraine to become a successful amber country in the world, first of all, it is necessary to change the perception of the stone among its citizens.
Ukrainians have a distorted perception, and we need a positive image of amber. In Poland, everything is aimed at this - exhibitions, meetings, conferences, festivals, all of which are aimed at showing that amber is good. It is profitable, which is what people in Ukraine do not want to understand. Of course, it's easier to ban it, but we need to understand it first."
In addition, it is necessary to develop productionThat is, not only to sell raw materials, but also to develop our own design solutions, as specialists from other countries do. Unfortunately, this has never happened in our country - only primitive standards were followed in the USSR.
The scientist explains that foreign manufacturers combine different materials and technologies. Competitions are organized for designers and craftsmen, and then the most talented are awarded.
We need to act so that we are known and seen - yes, this is a Ukrainian brand, not a Polish or German one. We need to position various exhibitions and expositions. We also need to create tourist routes."
And as a member of the jazz community, Olena Remezova dreams of organizing a Jazz festival "Amber Way". The scientist is convinced that jazz is the music of freedom, and we are a free country!
The author is Oleksiy Bukhalo.