Authors:	Stemke, Marion Wieber, Georg
Title:	Closure of German hard coal mines : effects and legal aspects of mine flooding
Online publication date:	4-Aug-2022
Year of first publication:	2022
Language:	english
Abstract:	Following the closure of the last hard coal mines in Germany, pumping is no longer necessary. However, the resulting rise of mine water can affect the environment. Laws have been enacted at the European and national level to protect properties. Within the framework of the approval procedure, it must be determined whether the cessation of pumping may cause unacceptable effects, including water pollution. With regard to water protection, the European Union has issued the Water Framework and Groundwater Directives, which have been implemented into German national law. These contain the prohibition of deterioration and the requirement for improvement, with the aim of maintaining or achieving good ecological and chemical status. However, before the target mine water level is reached, the water does not need to comply, since although the pumps are switched off, no mine water is being discharged. This also rules out permit requirements, which only go into effect when the target mine water level has been reached and mine water is discharging. Obviously, however, detailed planning before then is necessary.
DDC:	540 Chemie 540 Chemistry and allied sciences 550 Geowissenschaften 550 Earth sciences
Institution:	Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Department:	FB 09 Chemie, Pharmazie u. Geowissensch.
Place:	Mainz
ROR:	https://ror.org/023b0x485
DOI:	http://doi.org/10.25358/openscience-7496
Version:	Published version
Publication type:	Zeitschriftenaufsatz
License:	CC BY
Information on rights of use:	https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Journal:	Mine water and the environment 41
Pages or article number:	280 291
Publisher:	Springer
Publisher place:	Berlin
Issue date:	2022
ISSN:	1616-1068
Publisher DOI:	10.1007/s10230-021-00842-7
Appears in collections:	JGU-Publikationen