Environmental aspects of remote sensing for the classification of asbestos industry impact on the landscape changes in Cyprus

Abstract. The Industrial Revolution led to the commercial exploitation of asbestos in Cyprus. Cyprus has the second largest asbestos deposits in Europe, after Italy. Even though most of the extracted asbestos was exported, Cyprus had two operational asbestos manufacturing plants. Production increased steadily until 1980, with mining activities ending in 1988. These activities have left a significant mark on the environment. The key example of post-asbestos landscape in Cyprus is the opencast mine at Amiandos in the Limassol District, where large amounts of asbestos were mined. This has had a considerable impact on the natural environment and land use including the disposal of asbestos residues and asbestos-cement waste. Temporal analysis of land use changes from 1963 to 2014 reveals shifts in exploitation areas and vegetation cover. Though challenges persist, including asbestos-containing waste, efforts to restore vegetation in the mine area are evident. The evolution from sparse and undeveloped vegetation to a lush and diverse ecosystem is important for restoring ecological balance and restoring habitats for local fauna and flora. This research provides critical insights into the historical context, environmental impacts, and remediation efforts related to asbestos mining in Cyprus.