Post-closure maintenance liability of mining operators: fundamental significance of the limits of Nachsorgeverantwortung

The Federal Administrative Court (BVerwG) granted leave to appeal for the revision, finding the objection well-founded and recognizing the case's fundamental legal significance, thereby remanding the matter to the 7th Senate for a full merits review. The dispute concerns the scope of post-closure liability (*Nachsorgeverantwortung*) owed by a mining operator, challenging the administrative obligations following the termination of mining operations. The decision rests on § 132 Abs. 2 Nr. 1 VwGO, which permits admission to appeal when a case has fundamental legal significance, specifically to clarify the boundaries of the operator's duty to maintain safety and address residual risks after the cessation of mining activities.