In the Asturian council of Laviana, the first crops have sprouted in an underground greenhouse located in the gallery of the Carrio mine, where coal was extracted for decades. The innovative project aims to repurpose old mining sites into productive agriculture spaces, utilizing the stable environmental conditions within the mine galleries. This initiative has managed to cultivate wasabi, mushrooms, and edible plants like salicornia, which were previously unthinkable in such an environment.

The project is spearheaded by the Asturian government’s Ministry of Science, Industry and Employment and is developed in collaboration with various entities including the SERIDA (Regional Service for Agro-Food Research and Development), Cantábrica Agricultura Urbana, Grupo Hunosa, and the CTIC (Information and Communication Technology Center). The successful cultivation of these crops highlights a sustainable approach to using former industrial sites and promotes local agriculture while preserving the ecological significance of the areas.

As regions look for ways to transform their economies and utilize existing resources, initiatives like these not only showcase innovation but also provide a pathway toward environmental sustainability by recycling old industrial structures. The potential future applications of such practices can encourage other mining areas worldwide to explore similar transformations, thus contributing to both economic diversification and environmental recovery in post-industrial landscapes.