Mining and mine damage

The mines in Limburg affected our soil and even caused 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 water level caused by mine water has two effects: 

  • The soil is slowly being pushed up a bit by the rising water level. 
  • Mine water might eventually rise to upper layers and affect the quality of 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: 

Mining

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

Claims settlement

Contributions are provided from the calamity fund for building services for those cases of damage where the safety of housing is acute or in the short term.
For more information, visit the website of the Limburg Mining Damage Calamity Fund Foundation. 

New claims policy

The Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG) is preparing a new damage scheme. This new damage scheme is for damage to residential buildings caused by former coal mining. So this does not only include damages where safety of living is acute or short-term. This new damage scheme is not yet in effect. Nor has an effective date been set yet.