Welzow-Süd Active Surface Mine

The Welzow-Süd opencast mine is one of the largest active opencast lignite mines in Germany. It covers a considerable area and has undergone several expansions over the years. Lignite is mined here, an important fuel for electricity generation, with the coal being burned in nearby power plants. Lignite has been mined in the region in the south of Brandenburg since as early as 1860, at that time mainly as fuel in brickworks, heating fuel in glassworks and drive for a prospering textile industry. About 100 years later, the rich deposits near Welzow gave rise to the Welzow-Süd open-cast mine and the construction of what was once Europe's largest centre for lignite refinement in Schwarze Pumpe. The first coal was extracted in 1966. Currently, the 2nd Lusatian lignite seam is being mined at a depth of 60 to 120 metres. The coal layer is up to 15 metres thick.

Several vantage points on the edge of the opencast mine offer a view of the opencast mine and the recultivated landscape. A view into the coal seam is possible at the "South" vantage point, where you can marvel at the F60 conveyor bridge and other overburden excavators at work. At the Welzower Fenster and the Wolkenberg vantage point, on the other hand, you can marvel at the rehabilitation of the mine and even a vineyard. Other vantage points are the Steinitzer Treppe and Gut Geisendorf. Information on geology and coal mining technology can be found at all points. Other vantage points are the Steinitzer Treppe and Gut Geisendorf.

Guided tours in the personnel carrier can be booked through the excursio visitor centre.