FAQ

I tried to make this project homepage as clear as possible. Given the sheer volume of this topic, some details are omitted here and there. I also receive many emails with questions about specific issues that may not be of interest to the masses, but are still part of the topic.

I have set up this FAQ page for all of these cases, where I try to answer all the questions that come to me to the best of my knowledge and belief. As with the entire homepage, the following applies here: No guarantee of accuracy. But I'm doing my best.

The Garzweiler II opencast mine is regulated in the so-called brown coal plan Garzweiler. This is drawn up by the brown coal committee of the Cologne district government and ultimately approved by the state planning authority of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The lignite plan has the task of defining framework conditions that “reconcile the requirements of a long-term energy supply with the requirements of the social interests of those affected by lignite mining and environmental protection”.
I'm not a lawyer. If you would like to delve deeper into the legal principles, I would recommend reading the lignite plan. The legal framework is explained in detail on 50 pages.

RWE Power usually creates a dismantling concept (see Resources), which is revised annually. This is sent to the responsible municipality (with Garzweiler II in most cases the city of Erkelenz and the district of Heinsberg).
In general, the following principles apply when demolishing towns:

– The priority is to dismantle the detached properties.
– Groups of houses that have been handed over and are completely empty are then taken into account.
– As a rule, no houses are demolished in the immediate vicinity or across from properties that are still inhabited.
– Road, well and pipeline construction as well as other operational measures can also determine the demolition date.

The demolition then takes place as follows:

– Gutting the houses and introducing usable components such as windows and doors etc. into the material cycle
– Demolition of the structures usually using, for example, hydraulic excavators with appropriate dismantling equipment such as demolition pliers or steel shears
– Separating mixed construction waste, Holz, asbestos etc. and placing it in containers, then disposing of it professionally
– Iron search of the cleared property, especially the construction pit (serves the safety of the lignite bucket wheel excavators)
– Filling the excavation pit (to preserve the townscape) or adding the site to it at a later date or leaving it there

Source: RWE Power – dismantling concept for Borschemich

You can find a table with all the locations here.

They will be demolished, not relocated, as many believe. I have set up a separate page on this topic, see here.

Probably not, but I think this page is quite helpful on the subject of “Garzweiler II” and everything related to it. Take a look under resources (still coming!), there are some useful documents and sources there.

Arne Müseler, 1981, from the Ruhr area, has now lived in Austria for over 10 years. I work as a photographer in the political sector and as a concert photographer. This is a hobby, so to speak. (Homepage/Instagram)

I often get inquiries from other people who take photos in mining areas asking me if I could publish their photos here. That's very nice, but unfortunately not possible. 

I would love to, but unfortunately I don't have the space or the money. So if you have rooms and money (and audience?) available: feel free to get in touch.

The focus of this documentation is clearly on the resettlements in the mining area of Garzweiler II. Inevitably, the majority of resettlers have their say, and that is the intention. But it's true, I'm still missing interviews with opencast mining advocates, such as a representative from RWE. I'm aware of this and I'm working on it.
I try not to be partial myself and so this shouldn't be misunderstood. I try to present the situation on site as objectively as possible. If you think I'm being unfair or writing crap somewhere please contact me.