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Zinc-lead deposits in Wiesloch

Coordinates: 49°18′N 8°43′E / 49.3°N 8.72°E / 49.3; 8.72
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Mines in Wiesloch
Mines and processing in the area
Location
Wiesloch is located in Germany
Wiesloch
Wiesloch
LocationWiesloch
StateBaden-Württemberg
CountryGermany
Coordinates49°18′N 8°43′E / 49.3°N 8.72°E / 49.3; 8.72
Production
Products
TypeUnderground; Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT)
History
Closed1953 (1953)
Owner
CompanyStolberger Zink

The area around Wiesloch, Germany, is a historical centre for mining, running between Roman times and the earlier 2000s. The area is situated on the eastern edge of the Upper Rhine Plain and contains large concentrations of carbonate-hosted lead-zinc ore deposits.[1] Lime (Kalk) for cement is still actively mined in the vicinity, with most of the clay pits closed, and the last heavy metal mine operated until 1953 by Stolberger Zink. On top of the escarpment metals and lime have been mined, with clay and sand mined at the end of the valley floor where faulting has brought different layers closer to the surface.

Schafbuckel shaft, closed in 1953

During the 11th century, around ~100 tonnes of silver is estimated to have been mined, contributing financially to the area and liking funding the creation of Speyer Cathedral.[2]

Along the length of the River Leimbach are spoil tips from historic mining.[2]

The Nussloch quarry extracting lime for cement and belonging to HeidelbergCement was anticipated to reach permitted limits for extraction during the late-2020s.[3]

Overview

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The main mines in the vicinity of Wiesloch were:

References

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  1. ^ Schmidt, Adolf (1880-12-28). "Die Zinkerz-Lagerstaetten von Wiesloch (Baden)" [The Zinc deposits in Wiesloch]. Verhandlungen des Naturhistorisch-Medicinischen Vereins zu Heidelberg (in German). Vol. 2. Carl F. Winter. pp. 369‒490, 522, 524, 526. Archived from the original on 2009-01-26.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ a b Hebbelmann, Sabine (2015-04-25). "Als Wieslochs Bergwerke tonnenweise Silber lieferten" [When Wiesloch's mines delivered tonnes of silver]. Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2020-04-11. Und er erklärt, warum Plinius in der um 77 nach Christus fertig gestellten Naturgeschichte mit der Erwähnung "vor kurzem soll in Germanien Galmei gefunden worden sein" nur Wiesloch gemeint haben kann. … für das 11. Jahrhundert ausgemacht. Aus der Mächtigkeit der mittelalterlichen Abraumhalden schließt der Geologe auf eine Ausbeute von rund 100 Tonnen Silber. Das entspreche einem damaligen Wert von mehreren Milliarden Euro, sagt Hildebrandt und vermutet, der Speyerer Dom sei aus Wieslocher Silber bezahlt worden.
  3. ^ Hebbelmann, Sabine (2015-04-23). "Nußloch: In 15 Jahren ist Schluss im Steinbruch" [Nussloch: In 15 years the quarry will be closed]. Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2020-04-11.

Further reading

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