German court rules against environmental group in Hambach mine land dispute

The environmental group BUND has suffered a legal setback in its fight over a piece of land bordering the Hambach lignite mine in western Germany. The Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia ruled against the organization, denying its claim to have land expropriated for the mine returned.

BUND had argued that the original justification for the expropriation of the meadowland, acquired by the group in 1997, was no longer valid. This argument stemmed from revised plans for the lignite mine, which included preserving the Hambach Forest, a symbol of anti-coal protests. BUND contended that the land was no longer essential for the mine's operation.

However, the court disagreed. The 21st Senate stated that the conditions for revoking the expropriation were not met. The court's reasoning emphasized that the purpose of the expropriation, the establishment and operation of the Hambach lignite mine and its associated activities, has not been abandoned. Even with modifications and the preservation of the Hambach Forest, the mine's operations continue.

The court further clarified that the land in question still falls within the scope of the mining project. This includes not only potential future mining activities but also the necessary work for reclaiming the land's surface after mining ceases. RWE Power AG, the mine operator, had argued that the property was needed to secure the slope for a planned lake using earth from the BUND-owned site. The court's decision means the expropriation remains in effect, despite the reduced mining area agreed upon in a 2020 compromise.