On the occasion of the launch of the Local Development Plan promoted by the Municipal Administration of Buddusò, the University of Sassari (UNISS) presented its ongoing research activities dedicated to identifying new methods for recovering quarry waste and restoring disused mining sites. The activities fall within the scope of OR 7 of the REDiRECT project and are in line with the guidelines of the 2007 Regional Plan for Extractive Activities.

The initiative provided an opportunity for discussion between research, public administration, and the local community, with the aim of translating regional planning tools into operational actions at the local level. In this context, the research presented by UNISS aims to support the implementation of the regional plan through territorial analyses and evaluation methodologies geared towards sustainability and the reuse of resources.

The study provided for a new delimitation of quarry sites, divided for operational convenience into active and inactive sites. This classification provides a clearer picture of the state of quarrying activities and the potential for intervention in different areas, from an environmental, production, and landscape perspective.

The data was represented using GIS systems, providing an integrated snapshot of the quarry sites in the area. The information model combines qualitative data, such as the presence of vegetation and water bodies, morphological elements related to the orography, and quantitative information relating to the estimation of waste that could potentially be reused as secondary raw materials.

This knowledge base is the prerequisite for the development of targeted intervention scenarios. Based on the analyses conducted, proposals will be put forward for the environmental restoration and possible tourist and cultural enhancement of disused extraction sites, with a view to promoting the circular economy and integration with local development strategies.

The presentation of the activities highlighted the role of university research in supporting public decision-making processes, offering useful analytical tools for combining environmental protection, land recovery, and the enhancement of local resources. The activities underway represent an important step in the implementation of the Regional Plan for Mining Activities at the territorial level.