1. Mining and Water Oil-shale is the most valuable mineral in Estonia. For years people have produced energy from oil-shale. Energy for getting light and warmth: first lamp-oil, then fuel oil, now electricity- a universal energy source.

2. Estonian Oil-shale ► The determined mining of oil-shale has been ► The determined mining of oil-shale has been extended over 80 years and more than 900 million tons have been excavated. ► Oil-shale is raw material for fossil fuel and chemical industry. By dry distillation a lot of oil is produced. Gas and some sulphur compounds can be produced from oil-shale. ► Oil-shale is taken for an energetic ressource in more than 50 countries, but only some of them,including Estonia, have mineral deposits worth of mining.

3. Mines and Opencasts in Ida-Viru ► Estonia Mine ► Viru Mine ► Aidu Opencast ► Narva Opencast

4. Mining- Positive and Negative ► POSITIVE *good incomes *producing warmth and electricity ► NEGATIVE *polluting environment *reduced subsoilwater, empty underground

5. Dangers in Mining Areas When underground is empty after excavating,the ground starts sinking.Consequences: fields and valleys with waving surface and unexpectably appearing deep holes on roads and fields. Building houses there is impossible,which is obstructing for developing communities. In Ida-Viru County such communities are called oil-shale communities. Illuka is one of them. On the territory of Illuka there are 2 mines: Estonia and Ahtme (Ahtme is closed).

6. Mining and Subsoil Water ► Because of mining oil-shale, the surface level of subsoil water has lowered. ► Oil-shale mining pollutes subsoil water. ► Excavating 1 ton oil-shale needs 10-15 tons of water pumped out from the ground.

7. The Level of Subsoil water ► During the mining the water level lowers. ► When mining is completed, the closed mines become filled with water and the level of subsoil water possibly can be restored,but this is not certain.

8. Wells on Mining Territories ► Wells in many households are empty because of mining work ► New 38 m deep artesian wells are dug ► When the mine lies near the household, deep water wells are dug and water supply is built. ► In some cases the mine supplies people with water, bringing it with lorries.

9. Conclusion ► Oil-shale mining has both advantages and disadvantages.For saving the nature and environment,the best possible ways need to be chosen.