Hildebrand Sauer: Reshaping Lusatia with recultivation!

Hildebrand Sauer: Reshaping Lusatia with recultivation!

Something is happening in Lusatia, especially thanks to a man who is shaping the region with his passion and entrepreneurial spirit. Dr. Hildebrand Sauer, who once dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, has made a name for himself since the beginning of his career, which he spent on the Driewitz estate near Lohsa. Today, his son André and the company PLB Lohsa are continuing his father's vision of sustainably recultivating the former opencast mining areas and creating new living spaces for the population. The road there was quite rocky.

Hildebrand Sauer studied, learned a lot and, as an expert, successfully accompanied various projects in the field of recultivation. In the early years he had to struggle with many challenges, but his entrepreneurial skills and the valuable support from his family made it possible for PLB Lohsa to be founded in 1995. Today the company looks back on a proud history: from the start with 15 employees to peak times with 220 employees. There are currently “only” 30, but the commitment remains unbroken.

Sustainable recultivation in Lusatia

The central task of recultivating former opencast mines runs like a common thread through the work of PLB Lohsa. There are clear guidelines in this regard: This Federal Mining Act obliges energy suppliers to make the areas reusable after lignite mining. Whether through agricultural use, conversion into water areas or even reforestation – the possibilities are diverse. In 2021, 47% of the recultivated areas were planted with forests, 31% with water bodies and 10% with agriculturally usable areas. These figures prove: Lusatia is facing a green wave.

But recultivation also brings challenges. Former opencast mining lakes often turn out to be ecologically problematic, the soil is difficult to make fertile again and reforestation requires a lot of time and patience. André Sauer, who has managed the business since 2016, knows this only too well. He calls for a fair contractual basis with LEAG to ensure not only planning security, but also appropriate remuneration for the important work that is being done.

The future in sight

The work of PLB Lohsa is seen by everyone involved as the key to the future of Lausitz and could continue for another 20 to 30 years. But flexibility is also required here: the company plans to expand and develop new business areas. Not only recultivation is important, but also the entire economic development of the region. André Sauer criticizes the fact that a lot of money is flowing into bureaucracy while jobs are not being secured.

Reclamation is not only a question of economic efficiency, but also of social responsibility. Hildebrand and André Sauer emphasize the mutual importance of Lusatia for their company and vice versa. The focus is on people, the well-being of the environment and, last but not least, the creation of new living spaces. The goal is clear: Lusatia should become a place where nature, recreation and sustainable agriculture are in harmony.

With the right strategy and the will to break new ground, Lusatia can not only preserve its industrial culture, but also become a model for successful recultivation in Germany. Dr. Hildebrand Sauer would probably have a smile on his face today when he sees how his idea lives on and grows.