In recent months, the historic headframe of The Pit has been fully encased in scaffolding. The protected monument has now regained its familiar shape. A new space was installed at the top first, followed by the restored roof a week later.
The placement of the new space was a precise operation. The entire structure was hoisted upwards in one piece and moved into its final position between the scaffolding using a custom-made lifting frame.
A week later, the restored roof, weighing approximately 13 tons, was also lifted. Together with the hoisting equipment, about 17 tons were lifted. Both lifting operations, which had been prepared for months, required precision at great heights due to the limited space between the existing steel structure and the construction site installations.
The headframe dates back to the 1920s and is a recognizable witness to the mining past of Heusden-Zolder. The renovation of the protected monument is expected to continue until August 2027.
After the renovation, the headframe will be repurposed as de Skip. This facility will offer training and applications with extended reality (XR), a technology that combines the real world with digital images and applications.
The new space at the top will also be available for meetings, conferences, and events. An observation deck will be added on top of this space, offering views over the former mine site and the surrounding area.
In 2027, a search will be conducted with residents and stakeholders to find a suitable name for the new space. More information will follow later.
The realization of de Skip is receiving 2.2 million euros in support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
