Bertha shaft
Neue Hoffnung Mine, Bleialf, Prüm, Bitburg-Prüm, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Bertha-Schacht, Grube Neue Hoffnung, Bleialf, Prüm, Eifel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Deutschland
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
The Bertha shaft at Neue Hoffnung Mine is in Bleialf, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, in the Eifel region near Belgium and Luxembourg.
It’s known for lead ore, anglesite, aragonite, quartz, and ankerite, with anglesite and aragonite being rare and collectible.
The mine formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks from hydrothermal activity, part of the ancient Schneifel range.
Mining started in the 11th century, peaked in the 1860s with over 1,000 workers, and is now a show mine since 1987, where visitors can mine rock.
It’s tied to local culture with a mining association founded in 1926 and a 16km geological hiking trail.
The wet climate, prone to flooding, likely preserved its minerals, within the lush North Eifel Nature Park.
Geographic Location
The Bertha shaft, part of the Neue Hoffnung Mine, sits in Bleialf, a small village in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. This locale is in the Eifel region, the western edge of Europe, close to the borders with Belgium and Luxembourg. The Eifel is famous for its volcanic history and rolling hills, making it a hotspot for mineral enthusiasts. Bleialf is accessible via the A60 exit, turning right into the village, and is nestled within the North Eifel Nature Park, which may host other mineral sites nearby, enhancing its appeal for exploration.
Minerals Produced
This mine is a treasure trove for crystal enthusiasts, particularly known for lead ore. Standouts include anglesite, a rare lead sulfate with shimmering crystals, and aragonite, a calcium carbonate forming delicate, collectible specimens. Quartz and ankerite also feature, each adding to the mine’s allure with their unique formations, likely born from the region’s hydrothermal activity.
Geological Structure
Rooted in the Schneifel, a remnant of the Variscan mountain range uplifted in the Quaternary, the mine’s geology is a mix of igneous and metamorphic rocks. It’s one of three lead deposits in the Eifel, with stable rock deeper down, though the first 20 meters needed support due to weathering. These conditions suggest minerals formed through ancient hydrothermal processes, a fiery past etched in stone.
Mining History
The mine’s story spans centuries, with lead mining first mentioned in the 11th century and granted regal status by Emperor Friedrich I Barbarossa in 1158. It peaked in the 1860s, employing over 1,000 workers, but faced closures and reopenings, finally deemed uneconomical in 1954. Since 1987, it’s been a show mine, offering guided tours where visitors can mine rock themselves, bridging medieval labor to modern adventure.
Local Culture and Characteristics
The Bertha shaft is deeply woven into local culture through the Bergmannsverein St. Barbara, founded in 1926, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2011. This mining association, rooted in traditions from the 1860s, now runs a show mine with a café and exhibitions, including old communication devices like miners’ lamps (some lost in a 2018 flood). A 16km geological mine-historical hiking trail with 12 stations starts here, offering a blend of history and nature for visitors.
Climate and Ecology
The Eifel’s wet climate, prone to thunderstorms like the one in June 2018 that flooded the mine, likely helped preserve its mineral wealth. Located in the lush North Eifel Nature Park, the area’s ecology supports rich biodiversity, possibly influencing mineral formation through its moist, volcanic environment.