Dear friends,

After our New Year’s reception, we’re looking forward to our first real activity of the year: be a miner for a day at the BERINGEN MINE MUSEUM!

The Beringen mine site encompasses 100,000 m² of architectural heritage. This makes it the largest industrial heritage site in Flanders and unique in Europe. Of all the other mine sites in Limburg, it’s the only one where the industrial heart of the mine has been preserved.

A guide will lead us through the museum and talk about various topics such as the discovery of coal, working underground, life in the mine, the closure, and the future of the coal mine. Afterwards, we’ll visit the underground simulation and experience what it was like to work 800 meters underground. Please note: it’s a simulation; we won’t be going deep underground, so those with claustrophobia don’t need to be afraid or can wait for the group in the cafeteria.

The tour starts promptly at 2:30 PM and is the last tour of the day, so be sure to arrive on time!

It’s best to meet at 2:00 PM at the entrance of the MijnMuseum, Koolmijnlaan 203, 3582 Beringen. There’s a parking lot nearby, 500 meters behind the building: be-MINE parking, Houtpark 20.

To qualify for a group rate, there must be at least 10 of us and a maximum of 20 per guide. The activity costs €15 per person, including the guide’s fee and a drink.

For those who wish, we can have dinner afterward. Please mention this in the comments section when booking, so we can look for a nearby reservation.

See you then,
The Belgium Bear Committee