RAG implements mine water management plan in Saarland: pumping operations in Reden to be discontinued

RAG implements mine water management plan in Saarland: pumping operations in Reden to be discontinued

RAG Aktiengesellschaft (RAG), Essen/Germany, will cease pumping operations for mine water management at the Reden site at the beginning of May. This step is part of the mine water management plan for the Saarland and follows the shutdown of the pumps at the Duhamel site, which was already implemented at the end of 2025. With the controlled rise in mine water levels, RAG is consistently fulfilling its long-term mandate as a post-mining company.

Post-mining as a social responsibility

“Managing mine water is a central task of post-mining and part of our long-term responsibility in the Saarland,” says RAG’s CEO, Michael Kalthoff. “By implementing the mine water management plan, we are ensuring the long-term safe control of mine water management, reducing the burden on the environment and water bodies, and creating reliable framework conditions for the region.”

The raising of the mine water level is taking place on the basis of a legally binding planning approval decision and under the supervision of the relevant authorities. The aim is to organise mine water management in a way that is permanently safe, resource-efficient and controllable. The Reden site will remain in place as a backup site and will enable additional intervention options in the mine water system if required.

“The mine water rise is being closely monitored and comprehensively supervised,” says Joachim Löchte, RAG’s Chief Technical Officer. “Integrated monitoring enables us to control the rise in a managed manner, identify developments at an early stage and ensure the safety of the system, the environment and drinking water at all times”

Mine water concept for people and the environment

The controlled rise in mine water is a central component of RAG’s mine water concept. It helps to relieve pressure on surface waters in the region and reduce energy consumption in water management in the long term. By consolidating the underground water flows, mine water is brought to the surface at fewer points. This provides long-term protection for water bodies such as the River Saar and its tributaries and supports ecological development processes. Expert reports assess the risks associated with the process as low. The protection of people and the environment – in particular groundwater and the drinking water supply – is the top priority. The mine water remains permanently well below the aquifers.

Experts assess the likelihood of mining damage associated with the mine water rise as very low – reports of mining damage are examined and processed on the basis of transparent and legally regulated procedures.

Further information and contacts: www.rag.de/loesungen/bergschaeden.

Mine water management as a long-term responsibility

By implementing the mine water management concept, RAG is fulfilling its post-mining obligations. The regulation of mine water is a long-term task that requires responsibility spanning generations. The initiative in Reden is part of RAG’s comprehensive long-term responsibilities, which focus on safety, environmental protection and water conservation.

Further information on the mine water concept and monitoring in Saarland, as well as FAQs, can be found at: www.rag.de/wasserhaltung-saar.