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This giant coal preparation plant is part of the Beringen mining site, a large former coal mine in the Flemish province of Limburg (Belgium). The coal mine is an important example of deep mining and the large-scale developments in coal extraction in Europe and the rest of the world in the 20th century. The construction of this large coal preparation plant started in 1923-1924 (coal preparation plant 1) and this first part was later expanded with coal washers 2,3 and 4. The four parts together form one massive building in iron, steel, brick and glass, which not only dominates the mine site but also the surrounding area. The entire coal mine of Beringen, including the four parts of the coal preparation plant, was legally protected as a monument by the Flemish Government in 1993 and 1994. It is one of the last coal preparation plants in Europe. It is seriously threatened. Last year the plant was on the short list of the 12 most endangered important heritage sites in Europe, of Europa Nostra's campaign "The 7 Most Endangered". The Flemish Government is now planning to lift the protected heritage status of the coal preparation plant and do deliver then as soon as possible the demolishin permit - to make space for a car parking... However, before the protection can finally be lifted, a public inquiry must be held. Every citizen, residing in Flanders as well as in another regio or country, can send in a notice of objection. This can even be done from an other country. Associations and institutions can do also. This procedure runs until 19 March via the city council of Beringen Pictures, backgrounds, more information about the procedures and what you can do about it, can be found on the website of the Flemish Association for Industrial Archeology www.industrieelerfgoed.be/content/save-coal-processing-plant-beringen-coalmine Please spread the message ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the IND-ARCH list, click the following link: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?SUBED1=IND-ARCH&A=1