Mining and mine damage

The mines in Limburg affect our soil and even cause damage to houses. The mines were sometimes hundreds of meters deep. Working at that depth was only possible if the water level was kept artificially low with pumps. When the mines were closed, these pumps were turned off so that the water level could reach its original level again. That process is still in progress.

The rise in the water level due to the mine water has two effects: 

  • The bottom is slowly pushed up by the rising water level. 
  • Mine water may eventually rise to overlying layers and affect the quality of the deeper groundwater.

We follow this process closely through extra monitoring wells and measurement points. Studies show that it will take another fifteen to forty years before the water balance has reached its definitive new equilibrium. For more information about the studies and measures, see: 

Mine damage

The above effects also work above ground, such as houses with mine damage. More information about this can be found at:

Damage settlement

For damage cases where the safety of living is at risk acutely or in the short term, contributions are provided from the calamity fund for building technical facilities.
For more information, please visit the website of the Limburg Mine Water Damage Calamities Fund Foundation . 

New damage scheme

The Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG) is drawing up a new compensation scheme. This new compensation scheme is for damage to residential buildings caused by former coal mining. This does not only concern damage where the safety of living is acutely or in the short term at stake. This new compensation scheme is not yet in effect. Also, no start date has been set yet.