The Rhenish lignite mining area characterises the region between Aachen, Cologne and Mönchengladbach. In addition to numerous recultivated opencast mining areas, the still active Hambach, Garzweiler and Inden opencast mines form the main image of the area.
Most of Germany's lignite production comes from the Rhenish mining area in the city triangle of Aachen, Cologne and Mönchengladbach. The three opencast mines Garzweiler, Hambach and Inden produce around 100 million tonnes of lignite per year.
Lignite mining, however, does not only involve bucket-wheel excavators but also agricultural and forestry recultivation, resettlement and renewable energies.
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