Since the 1960s, Europe is shifting from the use of coal as a main energy source to that of gas and oil. Consequently, a successive closure of mines is taking place in Europe. The moments of closure vary per country.

The dismantling of the mining industry initiated a process of socio-economic and cultural decline. During the 1970s-2000s, national governments undertook multiple revitalization campaigns to reverse this path of decline. However, these attempts did not always result in the anticipated success. Both in a national and European context, the historical trajectories of these former mining regions often continue to negatively affect the cultural and socio-economic circumstances in these areas.

At present, the socio-economic development of these former mining regions enters a new and critical phase. Once again, governments are challenged to revitalize these regions. Current approaches show a trend where tangible and intangible cultural heritage is seen as a driver for cultural and socio-economic revitalization.

What can we learn from the historical trajectories of different former mining regions and from earlier endeavours to revitalize them?

What are current challenges and obstacles when using tangible and intangible cultural heritage as a driver for cultural and socio-economic revitalization?

Which approaches, strategies and lines of policy are innovative and effective, and show promise for revitalizing former mining regions in the near future?

To address these questions, the Maastricht Centre for Arts and Culture, Conservation and Heritage (MACCH) organised an interdisciplinary seminar where speakers from the Netherlands, Belgium and France presented their ideas and shared their knowledge and expertise on industrial mining history, re-use of built mining structures and intangible heritage of the mining world.

The seminar was made possible through the generous support of the Limburg University Fund / SWOL and the Research Stimulation and Valorisation Fund.