Perceptions on mine water and mine flooding – An example from abandoned West German hard coal mining regions

Abstract

For the first time, this paper describes the climate of opinion of mine water and mine flooding in three German hard coal post-mining regions, Ibbenbüren, the Ruhr area and the Saarland. Each region has unique geographical, political and mining-historical characteristics, and the underground mines were closed in 2018 (Ibbenbüren and Ruhr area) and 2012 respectively. People’s prevailing opinion and emotions regarding mine water, mine water treatment, mine flooding as well as the level of acceptance of the remediation measures and the mining company was investigated. The study is based on a representative telephone and online survey with 1527 participants for the respective regions.Results show that the local public opinion towards mine flooding and mining issues are not substantially different, but generally more positive in the Ibbenbüren area compared to the Ruhr area and the Saarland. In general, interest in mining related issues as well as environmental or renewable energy issues is low, but those interested in one of the subjects are also interested in the others. Participants indicated that they wanted more information about mine flooding. Of the actors dealing with mine water, the mining company is thought to be best situated to solve potential problems, whilst politicians were least expected to solve them.People see the term mine flooding slightly more positive than the term mine water rebound, but based on the Student’s t-test, there are no statistically significant differences. Compared with other surveys worldwide, the results are similar, indicating that experience with the mining company influence the emotions towards remediation measures and the risks people attribute to them. However, people want transparent and understandable information, feel positive towards mine water treatment and oppose mine flooding in general.