Copper, gold and silver are among the first metals used by humans. These raw materials were already being extracted and processed in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

The search for mineral resources initially began on the earth’s surface. Visible rock or ore deposits – known as outcrops – provided clues as to where it might be worthwhile to dig for valuable ores. Such outcrops appeared particularly frequently on steep mountain slopes. Later, miners even learned to identify ore deposits underground based on certain plants.

The history of mining in the Saalfeld area also dates back to the Bronze Age. Copper ore was mined here between approximately 2200 and 1200 BC. From the Middle Ages until the Thirty Years’ War, the focus was primarily on the search for silver. The extraction of cobalt, copper and iron ore continued well into the 19th century.

In addition, baryte played an important role. The raw material was used for paper production and to produce colour pigments for building facades, among other things. Iron ore is still smelted today at the Maxhütte Unterwellenborn near Saalfeld – a testament to the region’s long mining tradition.