Post-impact mining

Background information

For centuries, coal has been mined in the vicinity of Kerkrade and Herzogenrath. The first reports on this date back to the fourteenth century and the last from 1974 when the last mine was closed. Mining techniques and the extent of coal mining obviously differ significantly over this period, but of all times there has been the struggle against mine water and the need to pump it away. This withdrawal of water from the subsoil caused the water table to drop over the centuries. The relatively limited withdrawals in the first centuries of mining had a limited impact on the water table. The extractions of the 20th century, however, a substantial one. After the closure of the last coal mine in South Limburg in 1974 and the closure of the last mine in the neighboring German mining area in 1994, pumping of mine water from shaft Beerenbosch in Kerkrade and shaft Von Goerschen in Würselen ceased. Since then, mine water has been rising again. Under circumstances, this rise in mine water can lead to uneven moderate ground level rise and result in damage to buildings.

What measures do we take now?

Research was commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs to investigate the effects of past coal mining. That research was conducted partly at the insistence of the region (province of Limburg and municipalities involved). Based on the results of the study, it was decided to take a number of measures. For example, additional measuring points will be installed to Map the effects of rising mine water and old, small mine shafts in Kerkrade will be tracked down and cleared where necessary. Furthermore, six industrial shafts in the mining region will be sealed better and a regional knowledge and expertise center has been established where all information on the effects of past mining will be brought together. These proposed measures are being implemented by the rijksoverheid together with the region. On the website of the Province you can read more about the results of the studies and the measures that are now being taken. 

You can find the research reports and related documents on the Parliamentary Monitor website .

Status of implementation of measures Kerkrade

It has been decided by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate that funds will be made available to implement the measures listed below in Kerkrade. For each measure, the status as of May 2025 is indicated.

Additional remediation of six industrial mine shafts

  • Shaft Melanie was remediated in 2019.
  • Shaft William II was remediated in 2024.
  • Shaft Beerenbosch I is currently (May 2025) being remediated.
  • Shaft Neuland was additionally remediated in early 2025.
  • Shafts William II and Buizenschaft are scheduled to open in 2026.

Detection and, if appropriate, remediation of the suspected 59 existing historic mine shafts

Status: at 55 sites the survey has been completed. Of the originally expected 59 shafts, 25 have been found. Of 9 suspected shafts, (field) research concluded that they did not exist. From newly found archival material, 5 "new shafts" emerged. This changed the total number of shafts searched from originally 59 to now 55 shafts.

At 13 shafts, remediation has already been completed. In 2025, remediation of 3 historic shafts in Bleijerheide is planned.

Establish limited monitoring program mine gas.

Status: a monitoring program is being developed in cooperation with the Province of Limburg and Maastricht University.  

Shallow mining galleries (site-specific circumstance)

Research has been carried out into the possible influence of shallowly located mine galleries on the stability of the upper ground level. At a number of locations it makes sense to take the presence of these shallowly located mine galleries into account in construction projects. These locations qualify as "site-specific circumstance" as referred to in the "Building Quality Assurance Act. Check with the municipality whether you (or your Quality Assurance Officer) have to take this into account when building or buying or selling plots of land. Send an email to gemeentehuis@kerkrade.nl

Mining

If you suspect that your property may have suffered damage as a result of soil movement, the municipality would like to assist you by providing advice on follow-up steps to be taken to determine the cause after viewing the damage. If you would like advice from the municipality, please contact Mr. Lebens of the Environment and Building Department by phone or email.

For more information on the topic of "post-mining damage," visit:

Claims settlement

Existing claims settlement

In serious cases of damage, contributions may be made from the calamity fund for building services. On the website of the Stichting Calamiteitenfonds Mijnwaterschade Limburg you will find, among other things, the Requirements that apply to this claim settlement. We recommend that you review these carefully before submitting an application.

Please note that this regulation applies only to claims where the safety of living is acute or short-term! 

New claims policy

Reports have appeared in the media about a new damage settlement from the State that will apply to all damage to residential buildings if caused by former coal mining. This scheme will apply to all damages and not just those where residential safety is acute or short-term. 

However, the scheme is not currently in effect. It is anticipated that the regulation will come into force on Jan. 1, 2026. At present, unfortunately, it is not possible to have an authority determine whether a damage has occurred as a result of former mining and whether it is eligible for compensation.   

Remediation