Tilting machine

In Zeche Westerholt, part of the Bergwerk Lippe group, no coal has been extracted since 2008. In conclusion it was the last active mine in the German city of Gelsenkirchen. The old metal shaft trestle 2 was dismantled earlier this century.

Tilting machine

The mineshaft of Zeche W

Ten years of vacancy have taken their toll: the complex with unloading floors, where coal was loaded from the elevator cars, is on the verge of collapse. There appears to be no money to fix it up, so owner RAG wants to demolish the building.

The concrete shaft tower 3 above the 1.2 kilometer deep pit seems to have been built for eternity and will be given a new purpose.

The site is/has been demolished/renovated since 2022.