| Garzweiler I is a large surface mine in the German state of North-Rhine Westphalia. It is operated by RWE and used for mining lignite. The mine is located west of Grevenbroich and exploitation is progressing towards Erkelenz. Mining was originally limited to the 66.0 km² area Garzweiler I located east of motorway A 44. Mining in the 48.0 km² Garzweiler II sector started in 2006 (see Immerath, Garzweiler I conflict) and it will take until around 2045 to fully exploit both sectors. The lignite is used for power generation at nearby power plants such as Neurath. For the Garzweiler I mine people from several municipalities (Reisdorf, Garzweiler, Priesterath, Stolzenberg, Elfgen, Belmen, Morken-Harff, Epprath, Omagen, Königshoven, Otzenrath, Spenrath, Holz) had to be moved. Resistance against relocation were particularly strong in Otzenratz were people protested with lighting chains. In 1995 a citizen survey advocated a suit of the community before the Constitutional Court of Münster, which was however rejected. In 2000, the resettlement of most residents began (about 80 percent) to the new location, which was completed by 2007. In 2008 a last resistance was organized by the BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany), which occupied its own orchard on the edge of the pit. |
Description
Basic Data
| Name | Lignite mining Garzweiler I, Germany |
| Country | Germany |
| Province | North Rhine-Westfalia |
| Site | Garzweiler |
| Accuracy of Location | HIGH local level |
Source of Conflict
| Type of Conflict (1st level) | Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice/Energy |
| Type of Conflict (2nd level) | Pollution related to transport (spills, dust, emissions) Coal extraction and processing Tailings from mines |
| Specific Commodities | Coal |
Project Details and Actors
| Project Details | Lignite extracted per year 35-45 million tonnes, overburden 175-225 million tonnes |
| Project Area (in hectares) | 66,000 |
| Type of Population | Semi-urban |
| Potential Affected Population | 5,260 |
| Start Date | 1987 |
| Company Names or State Enterprises | RWE from Germany |
| Relevant government actors | North Rhine-Westfalia government, government municipality of Jüchen |
| Environmental justice organisations and other supporters | BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany) |
The Conflict and the Mobilization
| Intensity of Conflict (at highest level) | LOW (some local organising) |
| When did the mobilization begin | PREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase) |
| Groups Mobilizing | Local ejos Local government/political parties Neighbours/citizens/communities |
| Forms of Mobilization | Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Involvement of national and international NGOs Land occupation Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Public campaigns |
Impacts
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Global warming, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity Potential: Noise pollution, Soil contamination |
| Health Impacts | Potential: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…) |
| Other | health impacts of fine particulates |
| Socio-economic Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
Outcome
| Project Status | In operation |
| Pathways for conflict outcome / response | Compensation Court decision (failure for environmental justice) German energy turnaround and lead to closure of lignite power stations and the need of lignite mining |
| Development of Alternatives | Close down of lignite power station, stop lignite mining, propose renewable energy |
| Do you consider this as a success? | No |
| Why? Explain briefly. | All people, that have been living in the area have been relocated. Most recently RWE power is considering to close down some nearby lignite power stations. While this may help people from the area of Immerath/ Garzweiler II, in the area of Garzweler I relocation of people is already finished. |
Sources and Materials
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Meta Information
| Contributor | Gabriel Weber |
| Last update | 24/06/2014 |
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