8,5% ALC./VOL

Kompel Nostalgia Collection Batch NO.8 - The LAST MY

Release datum: 12.09.2022

THE STORY:

After the definitive cessation of coal mining in Flanders on September 30, 1992, there was a lot to do about the legacy of the mines. KS West, Beringen, Houthalen and Zolder had long been connected underground and thus became 1 mine with 6 shafts. Opposition to the closure, led by the supervisors' associations, was also the strongest there.

On September 30, 1992, the supervisors did not refuse to pick up “Last coal” in a cart, as they had done ceremonially at the other mine sites. No, the supervisors went with their people to the statue of Andre Dumont in As. There the last Coal from the western mines was deposited. Andre Dumont, who laid the foundations of our Kempen coal mines, which brought prosperity and prosperity to the region.

Even in 1995, resistance from the remaining miners was feared. The demolition of headstock 1 was therefore secretly organized. On September 27, 1995, all mine personnel had been sent home at 4 p.m., and they waited until just after 5 p.m. to actually proceed with the demolition. The contractor, charged with the demolition order, meanwhile placed the explosives to fell the headstock.

Now there is still one headstock in Zolder. They want to start renovating it in 2022-2023 and give it a new purpose. The rest of the mine site has already been given a new use. A piece of authenticity has been retained, "the air factory" (former compressor hall), the bathing room, the warehouse, the power plant, the shaft square with the adjacent Muze (Cultural Center) and CVO The floor (Adult education) give the former mining site a new impetus.

Source: KS Circle of Friends