Wolf Mine

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Herdorf, Daaden-Herdorf, Altenkirchen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Grube Wolf, Herdorf, Siegerland, Rheinland-Pfalz, Deutschland

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Key Information

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  • The Wolf Mine in Herdorf, Germany, is a renowned site for mineral enthusiasts, especially for its rhodochrosite.

  • It is located in Rhineland-Palatinate, about 20 km southwest of Siegen, near the river Heller.

  • The mine is famous for rhodochrosite and other minerals like cuprite and galena, formed in siderite iron ore veins.

  • Mining started around 2500 years ago, with significant operations from 1890 to 1945, and is now closed.

  • Herdorf offers cultural attractions like a mining museum and castle, with a temperate climate and forested ecology.

Location and Overview

The Wolf Mine is situated in Herdorf, a town in the Altenkirchen district of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. This region, about 20 km southwest of Siegen and near the river Heller, is part of the Siegerland siderite district, known for its long history of mining dating back to Celtic times.

Minerals and Geology

The mine is particularly celebrated for its rhodochrosite, often called "raspberry spar" for its vibrant pink to red hues. It also produces a variety of other minerals, including cuprite, galena, malachite, and pyrite. Geologically, it features siderite iron ore veins with oxidation zones, likely formed through hydrothermal processes where mineral-rich fluids filled rock fractures.

Mining History

Mining in the area began over 2500 years ago, but the Wolf Mine itself saw significant development starting in 1834 with a small adit, expanding in 1890 with a machine shaft. It was modernized in 1937 under the Krupp family and closed in 1945 at the end of World War II, now flooded and non-operational.

Cultural and Environmental Context

Herdorf boasts cultural highlights like the Bergbaumuseum Herdorf Sassenroth and Herdorf Castle, with its 17th-century architecture and baroque gardens. The town’s old town features charming half-timbered houses, and the Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg Culture Park offers recreational activities. The climate is temperate, with comfortable summers and cold winters, set in the forested Westerwald region.

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