Großrosseln is facing major change: Warndtstollen is finally being filled!

Großrosseln is facing major change: Warndtstollen is finally being filled!

In Großrosseln, preparations are currently underway to renovate the Warndt tunnel, a former transport tunnel that runs over five kilometers between St. Charles and other districts such as Warndt in Karlsbrunn and Ludweiler. The last active mine in Saarland was closed 13 years ago, but the mining group RAG continues to show commitment by dealing with the consequences of coal mining. As SR reports, access for equipment and filling material at the St. Charles shaft is ready.

RAG plans to fill the Warndt tunnel with around 50,000 cubic meters of approved building material, which corresponds to a volume that could be contained in 20 Olympic swimming pools. This backfilling has been planned since 2012 and, according to RAG, will take two years and nine months. Much of the work will be carried out underground to take into account the nature and water protection of the area.

Remediation measures and challenges

There are currently smaller measures that need to be completed before the actual work on the tunnel begins. Material and equipment are brought in via the St. Charles shaft entrance. A maximum of ten to twelve employees will be deployed for the renovation. RAG also made sure that only Saarland companies were awarded the contract in the Europe-wide tender.

The planned work is not without challenges, as truck traffic of around five to six trucks per day is unavoidable. At the same time, however, RAG will try to minimize the burden on residents. The St. Charles mine, built by a French mining company after the Second World War, was later transferred to German ownership and marks an important stage in the history of mining in the region.

Historical context of the Warndt mine

The Warndt mine, which is considered the youngest mine in the Saar region, was founded in 1958 and was characterized by modern technology and a clear facility. According to Wikipedia, the mine's mineable coal reserves were up to 190 million tons, and the seam thickness varied between 1 and 6 meters. The Warndt tunnel itself was excavated between 1963 and 1965 and was a central part of the conveyor technology.

After coal mining stopped in 2005, the Warndtschacht was filled with concrete, and the facility is now considered an example of the development of mining in the post-war period. Some parts of the daytime facilities are currently used by commercial businesses, including a solar power plant and a recycling center in the former workshops.

With the planned backfilling of the Warndt tunnel, RAG is not only setting an example for the creation of new safety standards, but also for the sustainable use of former industrial areas. Once all renovation work has been completed, the entrances to the tunnels will also be dismantled and the affected areas will be released from mining supervision.

This topic was also covered in the SR info news on June 5, 2025, showing how important the history and future of mining are for the region.