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OVG Bautzen Declines to Halt Land Transfer for Nochten Mine Expansion

The forest owner plans a constitutional complaint arguing the expropriation violates climate-protection jurisprudence.

Overview

  • The court confirmed it would not suspend the Grundabtretung to Leag that is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, with written reasons expected next week.
  • The Saxon mining authority previously approved Leag’s application for the mining-law transfer after the owner refused to sell.
  • Leag plans to excavate the woodland near Rohne to expand the Nochten lignite mine, with extraction permitted there until 2038 for supply to the Boxberg and Schwarze Pumpe plants.
  • The disputed plot has been leased since 2019 to the Cottbus group of the conservation association Grüne Liga for cultural and educational uses.
  • The owner’s lawyer, Philipp Schulte, says the decision conflicts with Federal Constitutional Court climate rulings, and conservationists warn of potential landslides in Rohne and Mulkwitz.