Post-Mining-Exploitation

Our competence center for post-mining utilization demonstrates how former mining infrastructures can become reliable sources of renewable heating and cooling. With more than ten years of experience, we analyze and model flooded mine workings, assess their potential as seasonal energy storage systems, and develop economically viable utilization concepts for municipalities, public utilities, and industry. Through digital mine representations, high‑resolution 3D models, and robust feasibility studies, we provide a reliable foundation for planning and implementation.

In regions with a mining heritage, we are your partner for a safe and sustainable heat supply of the future.

Toolkit for the Energetic Reuse of Former Mining Infrastructures
© Fraunhofer IEG
Toolkit for the Energetic Reuse of Former Mining Infrastructures

Our services

Our structured workflow for assessing and implementing a mine water heating system includes:

1. Gather Mine Background Information

Collect data on the mine's history, size, and operations.

2. Check Legal Approvals

Research regulations and obtain necessary permits for compliance

3. Examine reservoir geology

Analyze the mine's geological characteristics for heating potential

4. Model Mine Structure

Create digital models of the mine to visualize and analyze infrastructure

5. Map Surface and Underground Infrastructure

Document connections between surface facilities and underground systems

6. Conduct Thermohydraulic Modeling

simulate thermal behavior of mine water systems with SPRING

7. Design well paths

plan optimal drilling targets to access mine water while minimizing environmental impact

8. Calculate Levelized Cost of Heat

Assess the economic feasibility of heat generation from mine water

Datasheet

All services at a glance

Our references

Research Projects

Heatstore

Development of an underground high‑temperature heat storage system in combination with an HT heat pump.

WINZER

Heat storage in coal mines of the Ruhr region.

PUSH-IT

Storing excess heat underground: a sustainable solution for Europe’s energy future.

D2 Grids

Development of the former Dannenbaum hard coal mine at Mark 51°7

Cross_HEAT

Connecting regions. Using resources. Shaping the future.

Selected feasibility studies

Richtericher Dell

Feasibility study on implementing a fifth‑generation heating and cooling network using mine water in the Aachen metropolitan region

Barsinghausen

Potential study on geothermal reuse options for a mining shaft in Barsinghausen

RAG Potential study of water drainage sites

Potential study on the thermal utilisation of raised mine water at central water management sites in the Ruhr area

SVB

Preliminary study on geothermal mine water utilisation in the Siegerland region

Stadtwerke Bochum

Deep geothermal energy and mine water

GSW

Transformation studies of three GSW heating networks within the framework of BEW guidelines

    • Mugova, Elke; Klein, Stefan (2025): Geothermische Nachnutzung gefluteter Untertagebergwerke am Beispiel eines Grubenwärmespeichers. In: Langefeld, O. (ed.) (2025) 23. Altbergbau-Kolloquium: 06. und 07. November 2025, Goslar. 1st edn. Clausthal-Zellerfeld. https://doi.org/10.21268/20250804-0

    • Hahn, Florian; Klein, Stefan; Verhoeven, René; Mannke, Kevin; Braun, Marco (2025): Feasibility study: Geothermal local heating with mine water for the foreseen development area Richtericher-Dell in Aachen, Germany. – In: Valente, T., Mühlbauer, R., Ordóñez, A., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Time to Come. – p. 398 – 402; Braga (International Mine Water Association). Proceedings 2025 Braga, Portugal; Oviedo, Spain

    • Mannke, Kevin; Hahn, Florian; Verhoeven, René; Klein, Stefan; Lehmann, Jonas Enno (2025): Occurring challenges in the development process of geothermal mine water projects and possible solutions. – In: Valente, T., Mühlbauer, R., Ordóñez, A., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Time to Come. – p. 1088 – 1091; Braga (International Mine Water Association). Proceedings 2025 Braga, Portugal; Oviedo, Spain

    • Mugova, Elke; Wolkersdorfer, Christian; Hahn, Florian (2025): Exploring Geothermal Applications in Flooded Underground Mines with an Analogue Model Mine. – In: Valente, T., Mühlbauer, R., Ordóñez, A., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Time to Come. – p. 676 – 681; Braga (International Mine Water Association). Proceedings 2025 Braga, Portugal; Oviedo, Spain
    • Klein, Stefan; Mugova, Elke; Güldenhaupt, Jonas; Wieling, Idtz (2025): Wärme aus’m Pütt – Grubenwasser als saisonaler Wärmespeicher. In: bbr – Leitungsbau  Brunnenbau Geothermie, Ausgabe 12/2025

    • Hahn, Florian; Klein, Stefan; Passamonti, Arianna; Utri, Matthias (2024): Sommerwärme für den Winter: Saisonaler Wärmespeicher in altem Steinkohlenbergwerk. GeoResources. Zeitschrift 2024, S. 9–13.

    • Hahn, Florian; Klein, Stefan; Mannke, Kevin; Verhoeven, René; Güldenhaupt, Jonas; Seidel, Torsten; König, Timo (2024): Mine thermal energy storage (MTES) systems in abandoned collieries within the Ruhr area. – In: Kleinmann, B., Skousen, J., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium & 15th International Mine Water Association Congress. – p. 249 – 250; Morgantown, WV, USA (International Mine Water Association). Proceedings 2024 Morgantown, USA

    • Mannke, Kevin; Hahn, Florian; Verhoeven, René; Klein, Stefan (2024): GIS based analysis of heat demand and subsurface potential of abandoned mining infrastructure in the Ruhr region, Germany. – In: Kleinmann, B., Skousen, J., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium & 15th International Mine Water Association Congress. – p. 401 – 406; Morgantown, WV, USA (International Mine Water Association). Proceedings 2024 Morgantown, USA

    • Seidel, Torsten; König, Timo; Hahn, Florian; Klein, Stefan; Nehler, Mathias (2024): WINZER: Multi-scale modelling concept for numerical modelling of seasonal thermal energy storage in groundwater-filled underground coal mines. – In: Kleinmann, B., Skousen, J., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium & 15th International Mine Water Association Congress. – p. 573 – 576; Morgantown, WV, USA (International Mine Water Association). Proceedings 2024 Morgantown, USA

    • Hahn, Florian (2024): Geothermal reutilization of an abandoned colliery coupled with a district heating grid and a high-temperature underground storage. Ruhr-Universität Bochum. https://doi.org/10.13154/294-12371