Light and Dark
From the Depths
Saxony has been a mining region for 850 years. Saxon mining has sparked technical and organizational innovations that have spread worldwide.
For a long time, silver and non-ferrous ores were the most important sources of income. This changed as the ore deposits gradually became depleted. From 1830 onward, the development of hard coal deposits near Zwickau, Lugau, and Oelsnitz/Erzgebirge ensured the continuation of Saxony's industrialization. Later, lignite became the most important energy source. After 1946, the Soviet-run company Wismut AG began extracting uranium ores. The company became the largest uranium producer in the world, causing significant economic and ecological damage. Hard coal mining ended in 1978, and uranium mining ceased in 1991.
After 1990, mining landscapes were extensively recultivated. The globally increasing demand for rare earths, ores, and spar minerals could offer new opportunities for the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge).
Using mining as an example, examine the life cycle of selected raw materials. Energy sources of the past are now shown in contrast to raw materials that enable the energy transition.
