The Garzweiler mine in Germany is a large lignite (brown coal) surface mine located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is operated by RWE Power and has been in operation for over 100 years. The mine originated within the city limits of Grevenbroich and now mainly spans the Rhein-Kreis Neuss and Heinsberg districts.
The Garzweiler mine consists of two main areas: Garzweiler I (66 km²) and Garzweiler II (48 km²). Mining in Garzweiler I started around 1940, with Garzweiler II beginning operations in 2006. The lignite extracted here is primarily used in nearby power plants such as Neurath and Niederaußem for electricity generation.
Production is substantial, with annual lignite extraction of around 20 to 25 million tonnes in recent years. The mine is responsible for supplying coal to some of the largest power stations in Europe. The operational license for the mine currently limits extraction until about 2045.
The expansion of Garzweiler II had been planned to continue until 2038, aligning with Germany’s coal phase-out policy. However, this expansion has been contentious due to environmental concerns and the impact on local communities. Several villages in the mine’s path were either relocated or destroyed, such as Lützerath, which was demolished despite protests.
Germany plans to end lignite production at Garzweiler Mine by 2030, though some power plant units may be temporarily kept for supply security reasons. The area affected by mining is being recultivated with efforts to re-establish farmland, green spaces, and wind farms, leading to increased biodiversity in some areas. The mine is one of Europe’s largest open-pit mines and a significant source of CO2 emissions, making it a focal point for climate activists and environmental protests.
