Mijnsluiting en mijnwetgeving

Abstract

No one objected to the principle of closing the coal mines when oil and gas pushed coal out of the energy market. Social repercussions were successfully contained. Technically, however, there are two problems which could lead to legal complications but for which there exist no juridical precedence. There are firstly the necessity to fill up the main shafts and secondly the continued certainty that mining damage would be compensated for even after the abandonment of the mines. The mining law of 1810, dating from the days of occupation by the French, which is, at least partly, still valid in the Netherlands, has no chapter dealing with closures of mines. Only in 1964 a very general and largely incomplete regulation covering this matter was incorporated in the law. The initial requirement to have the shaft completely filled was after all not necessary. The question of the subsurface water level is dealt with in another paper. Regarding mining damages, a system was chosen in which the mines Oranje Nassau, Laura and Vereniging and Willem-Sophie quaranteed voluntarily to remain fully responsible for all possible damages, also after the shutdown of these mines. A special foundation has been established by the abovementioned private companies to ensure payment of any future claims towards damages, and particulars concerning the funding of the capital is fully described. The Dutch Government took over the Domanial Mine, for which mine, as well as for the four existing State Mines, no special regulations are thought necessary.