BERINGEN, Saturday 11 September 2021 – How do you give two dilapidated coal preparation plants a creative and socially responsible purpose? With this question in mind, over the past few months, the developer NV be-MINE has been working out a future scenario for the gigantic coal preparation plants 1 and 3 on the former mining site in Beringen. The answer? Be-NATURE, a restoration principle in which local nature is brought into a part of the mining heritage in a controlled manner. This surprising mix of nature and heritage - an investment of around 10 million euros - aims to attract more than 100,000 additional visitors to be-MINE each year.
With 100,000 m² of buildings, be-MINE is the largest industrial heritage site in Flanders and unique in Europe. Over the past 10 years, the former mining site has undergone a veritable metamorphosis: it has emerged as an attractive and economically valuable touristic/recreational site, with many opportunities for experiential and recreational possibilities while respecting its heritage value.
However, there is still one important piece missing from this beautiful heritage puzzle, as Tom Vanham (General Manager of NV LRM) knows: "Coal preparation plants 1 and 3 have been empty since the mine closed. Over the years, they have become overgrown and dilapidated. Therefore, it is crucial to breathe new life into these historic buildings."
be-NATURE principle
That is why, over the past few months, be-MINE has been consulting with several heritage experts, sector organisations, heritage associations, ex-miners and concerned policymakers. The result? The be-NATURE principle, in which industrial heritage and nature together form a unique mix. "We chose the absolute preservation of image value. We are also preserving coal preparation plant 3 in its entirety as a 'showcase', with an eye to reallocating it in the future. The dilapidated façades make way for temporary transparent ones. This gives you an insight into this coal preparation plant from the slag heap," says Jeroen Huysmans (Managing Director NV be-MINE).
"In coal preparation plant 1, we return to the essence of the building: the strength of the structure. We preserve the load-bearing skeleton of the joists and columns and clear away unsafe floor slabs and dilapidated installations. We are aiming for a light restoration of the facades on the North side to retain the image & the value of the ensemble. This façade is supported by 3 carefully restored traverse walls, and we are carrying out intensive concrete and steel repairs. A few remaining selected installations and the majority of the structure will be taken over in a controlled manner by the flourishing local nature around them. By allowing the local nature to flourish, the currently dark spaces make way for a new transparent roof structure. We are creating this spectacular symbiosis for cyclists, walkers and heritage enthusiasts so that visitors can marvel at the essence of be-MINE: industrial heritage and nature at the foot of the Coal Line," explains Jeroen Huysmans.
Two activities will boost this new international eye-catcher in terms of programming: "On the one hand, there will be a thematic catering experience at the foot of the Coal Line, and on the other, an art gallery where art, industrial heritage and nature are interwoven. The implementation of this will happen together with private partners with whom the necessary concrete discussions are already underway and will complement the current Limburg offer. We are aiming for an opening in 2024," concludes Jeroen Huysmans.
“Showcase project in Europe”
"Only a few coal preparation plants have been preserved as heritage in Europe. Therefore, there is not much experience searching for reallocation and new use of such huge complexes. Therefore, the Beringen coal preparation plant can develop into a showcase project in Europe. Architectural heritage is a non-renewable resource. What is demolished or removed is lost forever. The search for a new future is a creative process based on respect for what we have, striving for maximum reversibility. In this case, a destination that is preferably related to the story of the coal preparation plant, but is also useful, sustainable and creative. The approach to the Beringen coal preparation plant recently took on a particular dynamic and is at a turning point. Several parties need to join forces NOW. The Flemish Association for Industrial Archaeology vzw would like to cooperate," says Hendrik Nelde (Director VZW VVIA).
“Participative trajectory”
"The finest heritage projects are realised when there is a strong participative process, with room for bottom-up participation. Therefore, we are very much enamoured with the process that be-MINE has followed to involve the heritage sector intensively. Much can be achieved through constructive dialogue, and in that respect too, be-MINE plays a role that can serve as an example for other projects in Flanders", says Matthias Francken (Managing Director VZW HERITA).
Support from Flanders, the Province of Limburg and the Town of Beringen
Realising an ambitious project requires the necessary resources. In total, it involves an investment of around 10 million euros. The Flemish government is already committed to 2 million euros, according to Minister of Immovable Heritage Matthias Diependaele: "Flanders has considerable valuable heritage, but a site of this size and allure is rare. The plans for the reclamation of coal preparation plants 1 and 3 testify to creativity and social commitment. In addition, the initiators intend to cooperate with internationally renowned partners. We are also counting on this concept to attract more than 100,000 additional visitors each year from both home and abroad, who consciously choose the combination of industrial heritage and nature. In this way, we increase the attractiveness of our region."
Igor Philtjens, Commissioner for Tourism and Heritage, is also enthusiastic. "The symbiosis of image preservation and the be-NATURE philosophy is ideal. After all, the authenticity of mining heritage at be-MINE is so strong that the experience can be achieved without all kinds of major interventions. That is also our starting point for the realisation of the be-MINE PIT mining experience centre. We use the strength of the industrial heritage to create a unique experience path through the monumental buildings. The visitor thus gets a lasting experience of the miners’ work and the mining industry’s impact on Limburg’s economic development and society. The implementation starts soon. More than 30 years after closing, the site regained its grandeur as an economic hotspot for Beringen and, with the construction of the Coal Line, for Limburg as well. The Coal Line not only connects the leisure offerings in the former mining areas but also connects two top tourist assets: cycling and heritage. That creates opportunities for new entrepreneurship and jobs in Limburg's leisure economy."
Mayor Thomas Vints is also very satisfied with the current plans: "Beringen town council has been working closely with nv be-MINE for 10 years on the reconversion of the former mining site. Be-MINE became a new district where you can live, go to school and relax. The reallocation of the coal preparation plant remained a difficult issue for a long time, which was also of concern to the people of Beringen. We are pleased that there is now a concrete proposal on the table, which I feel is a beautiful ending to what is already happening on the site."
Associations also support be-NATURE
The European heritage association Europa Nostra sees this project as an additional asset for the preservation of heritage. "The be-NATURE experience with a public passage through coal preparation plant 1 as a gateway to the Limburg coal industry is a credible and attractive part of Europa Nostra Belgium's programme of a design that reconciles coal preparation plants 1 and 3 with the already approved redevelopment of coal preparation plants 2 and 4 and the development of the be-MINE PIT experience centre", says Paul Dujardin (Chairman Europa Nostra Belgium). "Although some questions regarding the implementation obviously remain to be answered, Europa Nostra Belgium is convinced that the proposed concept should be approved for further development within the shortest possible time. There is no time to lose if we are to preserve Limburg's most fully protected mine for the future."
As chairman of the Beringen Historic Preservation workgroup, Stephan Put also makes an appeal to all stakeholders in the dossier of the reallocation of coal preparation plants 1 and 3: "Beringen Monument Preservation would be delighted if the momentum surrounding this project were to be harnessed for the continuation of a constructive debate and consultation on the reallocation of coal preparation plants 1 and 3, as an integral part of the overall project for all coal preparation plants: 1, 2, 3 and 4.”
Finally, VZW Mijnmuseum and VZW Vrienden van het Mijnstreekmuseum also endorse this positive story. "The be-NATURE project is a remarkably positive move towards integrating the remaining coal preparation plants into the whole be-MINE story," says William Vanderheyden (Chairman of VZW Mijnmuseum).
For those who want more information, from Sunday 12th September for 4 weeks, there is not only the Triage exhibition in coal preparation plant 4 — a travelling photo exhibition of more than 120 photos of coal preparation plants in Belgium and abroad — but also the opportunity to discover the ambitious future of coal preparation plants 1 & 3 according to the be-NATURE principle.
