Mining in Germany

**Mining in Germany** covers the long history of digging up and processing minerals and energy resources in the area of today’s Germany. From the Stone Age to modern times, Germany has been one of Europe’s most important mining countries, especially for coal, salts, and industrial minerals.

## History

Mining in Germany began in the 5th millennium BC, during the early Stone Age, when people extracted flint. The Celts later mined iron and copper, and the Romans opened more mines. From the 12th century, mining became regulated by laws and grew in importance. Important metals included lead, copper, silver, and iron until the 19th century. During the Industrial Revolution, the focus shifted to coal—especially hard coal—and later to lignite (brown coal). In the 20th century, Germany also mined uranium ore, used in nuclear power.

One very long-running mine is Rammelsberg in Lower Saxony, active for nearly 1,000 years. Now it is a visitor mine and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

## Resources and types of mining

Mining in Germany includes the extraction of:
- Brown coal (lignite) — still very important for electricity production.
- Rock and building materials — such as stone, sand, and clay.
- Salt and potash — used in industry and food.
- Other important minerals — like feldspar, kaolin, fluorspar, and baryte.
- Smaller amounts of natural gas, oil, and industrial minerals.

By 2018, hard coal (steinkohle) mining ended because it was too expensive compared to imports.

## Laws and regulations

German mining is governed by the Federal Mining Act (since 1982) and related rules. Mining companies need a licence to explore and to extract resources. These licences require:
- A description of minerals and study plans
- Time schedules
- Proof the company is reliable and financially stable
- Checks of environmental impact, including public input

Fees for licences, inspections, and planning are managed by federal and state authorities. For example, in Bavaria, exploration rights can cost €250 to €5,000.

## Modern mining and economy

Mining still employs about 50,000 people in Germany. New projects include:
- Fluorspar mining in Saxony
- Tungsten and lithium mining, especially for batteries and modern industries

Germany remains a major world producer of several raw materials, including brown coal, potash, kaolin, and industrial minerals.

## Coal mining exit and transition

- The last hard coal mine, Prosper-Haniel, closed in December 2018, marking the end of Germany's domestic hard coal mining.
- Germany is phasing out brown coal mining by around 2038, supporting affected regions with up to €26 billion in aid.

These changes aim to balance environmental goals with social and economic needs.

## Environmental impacts

Lignite mining causes serious environmental damage. Areas near coal mines often show acidic water and heavy metal pollution, changing landscapes and harming ecosystems.

Germany plans to stop coal mining and move to cleaner energy, but lignite will remain in use until 2038, and Germany still depends on coal-fired electricity.

## Tourism and culture

Many old mines in Germany are now tourist attractions. They offer museum experiences, underground tours, and hiking trails—like the Rammelsberg visitor mine. Mining heritage is important in regions such as the Ruhr area, the Erzgebirge, and the Rammelsberg.