'You can rely on my honor. I want to be faithful to God, parents, leader and country. I want to be a friend to all.' In the heyday of the mining industry, these words reverberate daily in the courtyard of this former OVS building.
They are the first three of ten vows that young OVS members solemnly swear by raising the flag. 'OVS' is the abbreviation for Ondergrondse Vakschool, the vocational training that prospective miners enjoy here since 1946.
After their training they will descend daily into the adjacent Oranje-Nassau II mine, which closes its doors in 1971. Today, only the OVS building and a former service house with an adjacent mining vocational school remind us of the mining seat.
On the other side are two chief supervisors' houses from 1913 and a little further on an engineer's house from 1914. The OVS building is now a community center.
The OVS was founded after the Second World War. The mines in South Limburg have to run high production, because coal is crucial for the Reconstruction. Mining boards are looking for new staff who will remain loyal to the mining company.
Trained staff, too, because the rapid modernization of the mining company requires a great deal of knowledge and expertise. The OVS must meet that need. Permanent work and a good salary, even at the start of the training, are prospects that make many Limburg boys opt for a future as miners.
The OVS building of the Oranje-Nassau II has the necessary classrooms. Large windows provide good light in the practice areas, where the OVS staff learn the intricacies of the trade. They do this under the watchful eye of a former miner. The OVS also has a gym, because sports and games are important for health and team spirit.
In a boy scout-like atmosphere, virtues such as companionship, diligence and obedience are firmly instilled. Before the OVS men descend into the mine for the first time, they have already practiced extensively in the learning mine. This system of tunnels in the nearby mine stone mountain mimics the underground mine galleries and piers as realistically as possible.
In the third year, the OVS staff complete their vocational training and are ready for underground operation.
This text has been automatically translated using an online translation service.
