The Garzweiler open-cast mine is part of the large brown-coal (also referred to as lignite or soft coal) district in western North Rhine-Westphalia, which stretches between the towns of Bedburg, Erkelenz, Grevenbroich, Jüchen and Mönchengladbach. While open-cast lignite mining in the area dates back to the 19th century, Garzweiler’s Neurath pit – the core of the operation known as Garzweiler I – began around 1940, with Garzweiler II starting in 2006. Although the current operating license limits extraction to 2045, Garzweiler II, in particular, has proved extremely contentious, with its scope being cut back time and time again. The mine occupies some 31 square kilometres and produces 30-40 million tonnes of lignite per year.

• Further reading: CLEW factsheet Germany`s three lignite mining regions, CLEW factsheet Germany’s coal exit commission
• CLEW reseach tour: Decarbonising Europe’s industrial heartland
• Date of publication: July 2016