Halde Pluto in Herne-Wanne

The Pluto-Wilhelm slagheap in Herne-Wanne is located directly to the west of the centrally located Stadtpark and represents the route link to the west, Pluto colliery with the associated slagheap landscape. A path connection on the north side of the colliery represents the link with the supra-regional Erzbahntrasse cycle path. The Erzbahntrasse cycle path connects the Westpark in Bochum with the Rhine-Herne Canal in Gelsenkirchen. At the time of iron and steel production in Bochum, the ores and coals were transported from the Grimmberg canal port via the track. The steel and iron products then took the route back to be transported via the canal towards the Rhine and further. A steel observation tower is currently being erected on the top of the slag heap, which will make it possible to take in the view of the surrounding peaks. Completion is expected by mid-2013.

The slag heap was filled in the years 1973 to 1981 in a thickness of about 30m from tailings and then reforested in large sections with woody plants. Situated directly at the green corridor D and the meanwhile well developed ore railway line, the upper plateau of the waste rock pile already offers impressive views to the shaft frame of the Pluto colliery, the Consolidation colliery in Gelsenkirchen, the Ewald colliery in Herten and to the Hoheward waste rock pile landscape with the wind rotor and the horizon observatory. At a height of approx. 71.50 m above sea level and a location within the dense urban structure of Herne, Gelsenkirchen, Recklinghausen and Herten, good views of landmarks in the surrounding area open up.
With the design for a restrained "gentle" development of the Pluto slag heap, this potential is to be made more accessible to the public. A cautious development via the western flank, an emphasis on the viewing opportunities and a visual link with the Pluto-Wilhelm pit and further with the urban area are the important goals here.
The colliery complex designed by architect Schupp with its characteristic winding tower is strongly reminiscent of the Zollverein Shaft XII World Heritage Site in Essen, which was also designed by Schupp. The emphasis on this industrial heritage as a site of industrial culture is of great importance to the city of Herne.