Our Stone Materials sites, with their exposed surfaces of sand, gravel or rock, offer an attractive environment for many species that are displaced when dense vegetation establishes itself. The changing environment in a quarry or gravel pit can contribute to biodiversity in a very special way, even during operation.

When NCC operates a quarry or gravel pit there is an environmental impact. We assess and address biodiversity impact at our sites, something that to a wide extent also is included in our permits to operate through Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Parts are integrated in the permits, but we have the possibility to do more. We do that both through many individual cases at our sites throughout the Nordics and through a more structured approach, NCC Kielo, where a combination of activities to enhance biodiversity are being set and monitored over time.

Our concept NCC Kielo consists of a set of criteria for conducting structured biodiversity work where we focus on investigation, targets, measures, follow-up and results. When necessary, we revise and adapt the plans. To become a NCC Kielo quarry or gravel pit, some criteria’s need to be fulfilled and described in an NCC Kielo plan:

  • Make an investigation of habitat types and note characteristic species in the area
  • Describe an overall target for the NCC Kielo site.
  • Describe measures that should be done in the area to create enhanced conditions for biodiversity, such as a more diverse composition of habitats and structures in the area.

During operation some other actions are needed:

  • Monitor the outcome at least every third year in a gravel pit and every fifth year in a rock quarry.
  • Revise the plan if necessary.
  • Handle any invasive species to exterminate/reduce them.

In connection to closing, we summarize the biological result.

NCC Kielo and biodiversity work is relevant for our gravel pits and quarries, and we select them after an evaluation of preconditions and potential. Biodiversity is our agenda at many quarries and gravel pits, but not all of our sites are suitable for being a NCC Kielo site – as it requires several actions and measures to become one of our Kielo sites.

NCC Kielo was first initiated in Finland and has from that been further developed into a Nordic concept based on a set of criteria for conducting structured biodiversity work at our sites.

Map of quarries.

Munke Bjergby gravel pit, Denmark

When The Danish Society for Nature Conservation discovered that the rare Natterjack toad was in the area of Munke Bjergby gravel pit, we started a major work to ensure the best conditions for the toad. The Natterjack toad is a listed species from the habitat directive annex IV and is as such a strongly protected species. The species is favored by dynamic open landscape, with little or no vegetation cover, temporary small shallow ponds that dry out seasonally. In other words, everything you find in a gravel pit.

However, since the toad had established itself in an area of the grave where raw materials were to be dug, NCC and the Danish Society for Nature Conservation therefore joined forces. The solution was the move the toad to another area in the grave and to establish new breeding water holes for the toad.

More information in Danish available here.

Contact information:

  • Nanna Swane Lund, Chief Geologist, NCC Stone Material, Denmark
    mail: NLU@ncc.dk

Pederseje gravel pit, Denmark

In 2003, NCC and the Guldborgsund Municipality started to work purposefully to increase biodiversity in a new area of Pederseje gravel pit. The new area consisted mainly of cultivated land, and NCC had observed different species of flora and fauna from the excavated areas of the existing gravel pit, which were good indicators of what the new area could be developed for. Today the area consists of a varied nature and serves as an oasis for many endangered animals and plants. The lakes contain many exciting aquatic plants and amphibians, and the gravel pit has become home to several interesting birds.

More information in Danish available here.

Contact information:

  • Nanna Swane Lund, Chief Geologist, NCC Stone Material, Denmark
    mail: NLU@ncc.dk

Sellebjerg gravel pit, Denmark

Opened in 2009

When we realized that the rare dormouse was in the area around Sellebjerg gravel pit, we started a major work to ensure the best conditions for the mouse. The dormouse is one of Denmark's most endangered mammals, and it is only found in quite a few places in the country. Therefore it is on the Danish red list, which means that it is at risk of extinction. In collaboration with Hvidkilde Gods, we therefore spent two years optimizing the forest areas around the gravel pit, before the extraction of raw materials could begin in 2009. For example, about 250 nest boxes have been set up, which are specially designed for the dormouse, and we have established honeysuckle, larch trees, hazel, blackberry and rosehip bushes in the area.

More information in Danish available here

Contact information:

  • Christian Hans Abildtrup, Chief Geology, NCC Stone Material, Denmark
    mail: CAB@ncc.dk

Siem gravel pit, Denmark

Opened in 2006

The Siem gravel pit in Denmark was not biologically diverse when extraction was started. It was a mono-culture of planted spruce. The target was to make the area more diverse by planting deciduous trees such as larch, pine and oak and create several small wetlands, ponds and open areas with grassland. During the follow-up in 2017, fifteen hectares had been rehabilitated while production was on-going. Biodiversity in the area was increasing.

More information in Danish available here.

Contact information:

  • Christian Hans Abildtrup, Chief Geology, NCC Stone Material, Denmark
    mail: CAB@ncc.dk

Sofiedal quarry, Sweden

Sofiedal quarry is located 15 km from Karlstad and opened in 2018. The area for the quarry is about 33 hectares and surrounding land consists of mainly forest. Unlike other NCC Kielo quarries the biological perspective has been included here from the very beginning.
A set of measures for enhancing biodiversity has been identified for Sofiedal. Work has recently started and will progress with time. Some species expected to be affected by the measure are brines, bees, bumble bees and ants. In the future an artificial lake will be the habitat to lake species.

More information in Swedish available here.

Contact information:

Gökhem quarry in Sweden

Gökhem is a quarry located west of Falköping, a medium-sized quarry that NCC has been operating for five years. The quarry provides Falköping and the surrounding area with stone that can be used for various purposes, as it usually is. The unique thing about Gökhem is that it is created so that it forms a perfect environment for the blue-winged butterfly Polyommatini . The species thrives on thin earth-covered mountains with limited overgrowth, areas that tend to disappear when dry meadows and gravel pits are replanted to a large extent. In addition to the butterfly, the Sand Martin swallow is a species that has made itself at home in the quarry.

Contact information:

Ohkola quarry, Finland

Opened in 1960´s

NCC Kielo area in Ohkola Finland started its journey in 2012. The rocky area was partly filled up with received uncontaminated soil. The four-hectare area has become a a field with many different types of habitats such as rocky areas, wetlands and meadows. The area is also suitable to test different methods of eradication of invasive species. The area has been developed in cooperation with local nature organizations. Seed mixtures of field plants were planted and now there is a good seed-bank. A butterfly survey has been made and it is now a living area for many animals. There is a honey production in place and there will soon be a bird-watching tower in the area. Biodiversity continues to increase with new animals and plants.

More information in Finnish available here.

Contact information:

Pornainen quarry, Finland

NCC Kielo program in the Pornainen quarry focuses on improving the living conditions of the butterfly species called Scarce fritillary. Larvae of the butterfly have been found in the area of the quarry. Scarce fritillary is an EU-protected butterfly species. Many of its old occurrences have disappeared in Europe, but in Finland the species is still vital. The edges of the quarry are pleasing to the butterfly larva, as it thrives on the sunny border of open area and vegetation. Its most important food plant is called Common Cow-wheat. NCC Kielo area in Pornainen is being developed to be even more favorable for the Scarce fritillary with the Common Cow-wheat.

More information in Finnish available here.

Contact information:

Hedrum quarry, Norway

Hedrum quarry in Norway is know for its special blue Larvikitt, the national stone of Norway. The quarry has been in NCC possession for over 20 years, and it is a well-run quarry with high focus on the environment and fine products. Hedrum quarry produces amongst other NCC Machinsand, an environmental solution to natural sand. The area around the quarry has a been certified as a site with biodiversity, and the job continues to enhance both more small wetlands and areas for trees.

Contact information:

Helle sandtak, Norway

Although the area around Helle Sandtak largely consists of sand and gravel cover, good finds were made of both moss and trees, in addition to a number of tit, woodpecker and mute swan. Several measures have been identified based on the environmental assessment which was conducted in 2020. The job going forward for the gravel pit is to preserve and facilitate biodiversity and to adapt growth zones for trees, so that smaller plants and insects have opportunities to live and establish themselves in the area. Measures will also be done to arrange operations so that House Martins (Delichon urbicum) at the site are not disturbed during the nesting in the spring.

More information in Norwegian available here.

Contact information: