At noon on Saturday, the demonstration began in Lützerath against the mine hole.

According to police reports to German media, approximately 8,000 protesters were expected, but there are believed to be more.

According to Westdeutscher Rundfunk, the police used pepper spray against protesters.

Images from the scene also show clashes between police in riot gear and protesters.

Thousands of demonstrators protested against a new lignite mine in Lützerath, Germany.

Photo: INA FASSBENDER/AFP/TT

On Twitter, the police are warning the protesters not to go near the mine hole - especially after the rain of the last few days.

"Don't put your life or your health at risk."

They also write that mostly masked people have tried to get into dangerous areas.

They call on the protesters to be cooperative and not tackle the police.

Activists in tunnel

Two activists have also found themselves in a tunnel they dug under Lützerath.

According to the activists, they want to give the protesters above ground as long as possible to mobilize, reports the BBC.

Police chief Dirk Weinspach told the BBC that they had tried to have a dialogue with the activists in the tunnel and informed them of the risks.

During Saturday, work continued to try to get the two out of the tunnel.

On Friday, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg published an Instagram post from Lützerath.

She was also one of the participants during Saturday's protests.

She was also one of those who spoke before the gathered protesters.

- We are not going to give up, she says from the stage.

Climate activists Luisa Neubauer, Greta Thunberg and Lakshimi Thevasagayam on site in Lützerath on Friday.

Photo: EPA/FINN BECKER/TT

Phase out coal power

The protests have already been going on for just over two years in western Germany.

A thousand protesters and activists have occupied the remaining houses but also built huts to keep away from the police.

Earlier this week there were reports that upwards of 2,000 police officers had been called to the scene to evacuate the city.

Germany has pledged to phase out coal power by 2030 – eight years faster than the previous target of 2038. Lützerath is therefore expected to be one of the last towns used to mine coal, the BBC reports.