[3] The first mention of Beringen dates to 1120 when it was known as 'Beringe', a word derived from the Germanic Beringum, which meant 'with the people of Bero'.

[4] For most of the medieval period, it was part of the County of Loon, from which it received its city charter in 1239.

Beringen became one of the bishopric's 23 bonnes villes (principal cities) and shared its history until its dissolution in 1795.

[4] Under André Dumont’s guidance, the first coal-bearing drill cores were obtained in Campine in 1901, leading to several coalmines being established in the region.

The golden age of coal production started right after World War II and lasted until the late 1950s, when cheaper energy sources were made available elsewhere.