Mine Minister Stein Shaft IV "Emil Kirdorf"
September 1996 + January 2002
The colliery in Dortmund-Eving was founded in 1871, four years later production started. In the years 1923-26, the expansion to a large pit took place. During this time, a firedamp explosion claimed the lives of 136 miners. In 1926, Shaft IV became the main winding shaft, and the double winding tower that is still preserved today was the first of its kind.
In 1941 "Minister Stein" was the largest colliery in the Ruhr area. In 1986 the decommissioning decision was made due to unfavorable deposit conditions. In March of the following year, "Minister Stein" was shut down, and in 1988 the demolition of the coking plant and colliery began.
Six years later, work began on redevelopment and development of the former colliery site. Only a few of the day facilities will survive: even the large gasometer, which served as a landmark for the district, fell victim to the explosives. Only the washhouse building and the hammer head tower remain. The 62.4 m high tower of the Minister Stein colliery served as a model for numerous twin winding towers that were built later.
Headframes with an overhead conveyor system had decisive advantages over strut headframes and Malakow towers: they required less space and the arrangement of the machines was more advantageous during operation.