Inden surface mine, Tagebau der RWE Power AG im Rheinischen Braunkohlerevier
The Inden surface mine is a large open-pit site where lignite coal is extracted from the earth. The mine reveals exposed soil and rock layers that have been gradually removed to reach the coal deposits beneath.
Mining in Inden began in the late 1950s and was temporarily halted in 1969 before resuming in the 1980s. The long-term extraction has significantly changed the local landscape and communities.
The name Inden refers to the river that flows through this region, and its course was relocated during mining operations. Today, the mine shapes the landscape and daily life of people living and working nearby.
Mining operations run daily and often into the night, with large machinery and trucks constantly moving material. The site is extensive and can be viewed in part from designated vantage points, particularly from elevated positions like the Indemann observation tower.
When mining ends around 2029, the pit will fill with water to create a lake covering about 1,100 hectares known as the Inden Lake. This new body of water will represent a complete transformation of the landscape and later become a center for recreation and nature development.
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