Years ago, ARBED definitively closed its iron mines in the Grand-Duchy. Forgotten for a long time, these undergrounds have been restored by the ArcelorMittal Real Estate service, in collaboration with the Nature and Forests Administration, to promote the re-development of their biodiversity. This is the case of the Giele Botter's mine in Niederkorn where, in 2019, grids replaced metal plates in order to facilitate access to the premises for animals.

Jan Herr
from the Nature and Forest Administration, is in charge of the Giele Botter area, classified Natura 2000 :
The Greater Horseshoe Bat in Niederkorn
Thanks to this installation, the year 2022 is off to a good start for the teams who worked on the rehabilitation of the Giele Botter site. The report listing the species present on the ground notes that five different species of bats now frequent the mine, in the space of only two years! In 2019, the Niederkorn facilities, but also those of Dudelange, had as a priority to accommodate species of bats that are fairly common in the Grand Duchy.
The repopulation observed is particularly interesting because we now note the presence of the Greater Horseshoe Bat, an extremely rare species in Luxembourg and protected at national and European level. It is a target species of Giele Botter, a Natura 2000 classified area. This is not the first time that ArcelorMittal Luxembourg has welcomed protected species on its ground and underground. Animals often find refuge on our disused sites such as Rout Lens or Schifflange, where conversion projects are underway. ArcelorMittal works closely with the Nature and Forest Administration to guarantee them the best possible treatment. | ![]() |
Greater horseshoe bat specimen discovered in the mine. |

Jan Herr
Before and after the mine entrance rehabilitation.