Ten years ago, a sleeping giant awoke: the former Beringen mine site. A touristic/recreational project called be-MINE has since blossomed here, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors a year. On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, be-MINE is organising an anniversary programme with an exclusive short film, a guided tour and an international photo exhibition.
 
In 1989, the Beringen mine permanently closed its doors. At least, the exploitation of coal mines came to an end. Because 10 years ago, the monumental mine site began its second youth: that is when be-MINE was born, the organisation that breathed new life into this vast area step by step. be-MINE is a collaboration between the Limburg investment company LRM and the private developers Ciril and Van Roey Vastgoed.
 
An attraction pool for more than 1.5 million visitors
 
In the past decade, be-MINE has developed into a growth pole within Beringen, believes Mayor Thomas Vints: "The reallocation of the site is multifaceted, which makes the integration into our city complete. On the one hand, you can live, work, shop and even go to school on the old mine site. On the other hand, be-MINE offers a range of touristic/recreational opportunities where relaxation, heritage and experience are central. Yearly, about 1.5 million visitors pass through this impressive site, which is a nice number, but the ambition goes even further. Through projects such as be-MINE PIT, in cooperation with the Province of Limburg and the re-designation and development of the coal preparation plant, we are turning be-MINE into an international attraction."
 
"Celebrating the anniversary with the people of Beringen"
Exclusive short film and international photo exhibition
 
To celebrate this 10th anniversary in an appropriate manner, be-MINE will be opening its doors in the coming months. be-MINE was quickly embraced by the people of Beringen. It symbolises the mining past, green surroundings and friendly hospitality: everything with which you spontaneously associate Beringen. "By the same token, we find that local anchoring and interconnectedness are also very important. That is why we are celebrating 10 years of be-MINE together with the people of Beringen," explains Jeroen Huysmans, Managing Director of be-MINE.
 
The festivities take place on the second weekend in September, together with the Mijnhappening*. "In collaboration with the town of Beringen, we made the decision to add our programme to that of Mijnhappening*. Thus, the second weekend in September offers plenty to experience at be-MINE. We welcome visitors with a varied, three-part programme. First of all, we will show an exclusive short film in which children of former miners talk about their connection with today's be-MINE. In addition, guides conduct a tour of the site. And finally, you can visit the Triage exhibition in the recently restored Coal Preparation Plant 4. This exclusive photo exhibition shows how coal preparation plants have been given a new life worldwide. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary, we are adding to this existing collection with a unique series of photos showing the metamorphosis that the Beringen mine site has undergone in the past decade. And, of course, visitors can also soak up the cosy atmosphere of the Mijnhappening.
 
10 Years collaboration
 
Finally, it is important to emphasise that the road we have travelled over the past 10 years has only been made possible through good understanding and smooth cooperation. That is also how Mayor Vints sees it: "NV be-MINE plays an important role in this. This is once again confirmed when you look at the achievements of the last 10 years. Congratulations! Moreover, we should not forget the commitment and contribution of the other public and private investors and operators. This collaboration has made be-MINE a growth engine that provides experiences, jobs and strengthens the Bering identity by reviving our past."
 

Mayor Vints and Managing Director Huysmans - photo HBVL

*Mijnhappening Beringen
Saturday 11 September 2021 from 3 pm to 11 pm
Sunday 12 September 2021 from 3 pm to 8 pm
 
Watch an interview with Jeroen Huysmans, director of be-MINE on TVLimburg here.
 

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