Linkage of "Lakes Zwenkau-Cospuden" as one of the elements of land reclamation after the open-cast mines and its future importance for the development of the region The open-cast mine "Böhlen", closed in 1921, in 1969 was transformed into "Zwenkau"("Zw") open-cast mine. In the seventies, together with its smaller neighbouring mine "Cospuden"("Cs"), became one of the greatest enterprises of the Central German lignite mining area. In the last centuries Zw and Cs mines had an significant influence

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... on the economic, technical and scientific progress of this region. Although the mines were in separate mining areas, very close relations of proximity existed between them, particularly in the superposition of the lowering ground water areas. Thus, the total mass of the mine tailings "Cospuden" in the mining sector "Zwenkau" was flattened and designed for land reclamation. Since the cessation of lignite mining in the area Böhlen/Zwenkau/Cospuden the south region from Leipzig has been changed fundamentally. The remaining holes, which mines left behind, became lakes. Along the lakes raised beaches, ports and holiday houses. Lusatia and Central German Mining Administration Company (LMBV), which is now responsible for the reclamation and rehabilitation of disused mines, proposed a new perspective of this region, perceived as a part of nature and human-being. The main emphasis has been placed on the development of created lakes, flow-up phase and good water quality assurance. Some of the new lakes are connected together with artificial canals and locks. This also relates to "Zwenkau-Cospuden Lakes" (LMBV 2009). In this article the methods of management former mining areas in the South from Leipzig, with the great accent put on the linkage of "Lakes Zwenkau-Cospuden", are described. Necessary test on the soil samples from this field are explained. Finally, the influence of the restoration of the area on the development of the region is shown.