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The devastation of natural components and the appearance of the landscape in connection with mining activities does not necessarily have only a negative impact. Post-mining landscape happens an important and recently the only place to live many species of organisms, plants and animals. In this context, the importance of these sites is mainly associated with Invertebrata including insects, which can replace their natural habitats. The author presents the results of his research on Hymenoptera: Aculeata on heaps created as unused waste after clay slate mining in the region of Nízký Jeseník Mts. This two-year research (2018–2019) focused on wasps, bumble bees and solitary bees was carried out at ten selected sites mainly in the cadastral area of the municipality of Jakartovice (Opava district).

The area of the Nízký Jeseník Mts. is, among other things, well known for its shale roofing tiles since the 18th century. In places where shale was intensively or extensively exploited until 1945, abandoned areas after mining works remained. In general, every mining is perceived as a activity of landscape degradation by the public. However, these indelible traces of shale mining in the form of various mining-related objects (e.g. abandoned quarries, quarry ponds, shafts, drains etc.) are also gradually becoming places that are colonised by unique plant and animal communities. There are very interesting species bond to specific environmental conditions of post-mining landscape, with frequent rare and endangered species. People have also become ‘new’ colonisers in the case of the shale landscape.