The first step of turning a bio-hazard into a green wonderland was taken yesterday when Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi flicked the switch to start extracting gas from the Maghtab mountain.

Dr Gonzi turned on the new system which will remain in a testing phase for the next few weeks at least. To put things into perspective, Maghtab is still a raging inferno in its interior – reaching temperatures of up to 250 degrees Celsius.

This situation was brought about because previously waste was not separated and was simply covered over with more waste and construction rubble.

As the waste decomposes, it produces volatile and toxic gases along with methane. Methane can be used to create energy, as is happening in the new engineered landfills of Ghallis and taz-Zwejra. Energy generation from these sites produces energy for three per cent of the grid requirements.

Before that can be done with “old” Maghtab, harmful gases must be extracted and separated from the methane gas. This is done through a separation system which channels harmful gases into an incinerator and methane which will be pumped into the turbine to create electricity.

At present, there are some 46 shafts which have been sunk into Maghtab. This number will be brought up to 400-500 in the coming year. The system is monitored in real-time in Germany and any problems that may arise will be communicated to Malta.

During the testing phase, methane that is extracted will be simply burnt off into the atmosphere until one gauges the quantities involved. Methane is a clean burning fuel, so there will be no harm done to the environment.

After the short ceremony to begin the testing phase, Prime Minister Gonzi and Environment Minister George Pullicino unveiled the winning proposal for the rehabilitation of Maghtab.

There were eight plans to choose from and these were all on display at Maghtab itself, the Naxxar local council and St James Cavalier. Although the winning design was chosen by an international panel, people were invited to vote for their preferred plan.

Some 600 people voted, mostly residents of the area and it was interesting to note, said the Prime Minister, that the plan which was selected by the panel was the one that got the second highest popular vote. The plan was submitted by a German-Maltese consortium – Melitopia.

“That shows that the technical aspects and the desire of the public were on converging paths,” said Dr Gonzi.

Dr Gonzi said: “Finally, I am proud to be able to say that we can start to rehabilitate the terrible scar on this island that was Maghtab. But now we can convert it, we can take that land back and give it to the people of Malta to enjoy.”

He said that land was the most important resource for Malta. “Every square metre, every tile space is important. More important to us even than finding oil,” he said.

He said that the project was do-able. “It is do-able because we have the funding, the know-how and the commitment that is necessary to make this a green space once again.”

Dr Gonzi continued: “Make no mistake, it will take millions (of liri) and it will take years, but we will get there. A good slice of the e855 million 2007-2013 EU budget funds are going into Maghtab. e30 million to be precise.” The gas extraction process alone (which does not form part of the e30 million) is costing e8.4 million and is also being co-funded by the EU.

“The message is: Never again. We will never allow anything like what happened here to ever come back to haunt us. This would not have been possible, however, without EU funding. We would have had to live with this open wound,” said Dr Gonzi.

Dynamics of proposed concept

Short-term (0-2 years):

• Green-ring surrounding the whole complex

• Immediate use as a fly-park (paragliding and hang-gliding)

• Sand wave which links the north-east section of the park to the coast

• Works on southern park entry (visitor centre, parking area)

• Trial plots: experimentation of vegetation growth

Medium-term (1-10 years):

A highly modular, scalable and flexible architectural landscaping which features:

• Creation of a perfume wall vegetation (thyme, lavender, rosemary, santolina)

• Creation of an open-air theatre on the Maghtab plateau

• Works on proposed northern access to the park (parking area, fly bar)

Long-term (7-20+ years):

• Gradual return of select areas for agricultural use