Surface Mining Operations in Hambach
The Heart and Soul of the Rhenish Lignite Region
The surface mining operations in Hambach are located between Jülich (Düren County) and Elsdorf (Rhine-Erft County) right in the center of the Rhenish lignite region. The excavation process commenced in 1978 near Niederzier-Hambach and currently has reached a depth of about 350 m. Underneath the 85 square kilometers of excavation field is a reservoir of 2.5 billion tons of lignite coal down to depths of 450 m.
World’s Largest Excavators in Action
The world’s largest excavators work inside the Hambach surface mining pit: They are 240 m long, 96 m tall and weigh 13,500 tons. They are capable of moving 240,000 tons of coal or excavation material daily – enough to fill a soccer stadium 30 m deep.
The majority of excavation material – about 240 million cubic meters annually – is re-deposited in the previously excavated portion of the Hambach surface mining pit. The lignite coal itself is transported to the customers, the power plants and lignite processing facilities in and about the Ville region east of the mining pit along the Hambach Rail, a 22 km long factory-owned, dual-track rail system. The Hambach surface mining operations produce approx. 40 million tons of lignite coal annually.
Popular Destination
The highly-visible trademark symbol of surface mining in the area is Sophienhöhe, a manmade, forested mountain which rises above the surrounding fertile plains by 200 m. It consists in part of the excavation materials from surface mining and has nowadays become a popular destination for trips and excursions.
