Dreislar Mine
Dreislar, Medebach, Hochsauerlandkreis, Arnsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Grube Dreislar, Dreislar, Winterberg, Sauerland, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Deutschland
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
The Dreislar Mine is in Dreislar, Medebach, Hochsauerlandkreis, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, about 20 km southeast of Winterberg.
It is famous for baryte, with other minerals like chalcopyrite and cinnabar also found.
The mine’s geology involves silicified greywackes and clay schists, formed by hydrothermal activity.
Mining started in 1777 for iron, shifted to baryte in 1909, and closed in 2007 after producing 27,000 tons annually.
The Schwerspatmuseum in Dreislar preserves its history, and the Sauerland region offers cultural and outdoor attractions.
The area has an oceanic climate with cold, snowy winters and mild summers, supporting diverse wildlife like wisents and eagles.
Nearby, Ramsbeck Mine and other Sauerland sites are notable for minerals.
Geographic Location
The Dreislar Mine is nestled in the quaint village of Dreislar, part of Medebach in the Hochsauerlandkreis district of Arnsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This location places it in the heart of the Sauerland region, known for its rolling hills and dense forests, about 20 km southeast of Winterberg, a popular ski resort. Nearby settlements include Medebach (5.6 km), Hallenberg (6.0 km), and Winterberg (11.2 km), making it accessible for enthusiasts exploring the area.
Minerals Produced
Dreislar Mine is renowned for its baryte (BaSO4), often found in striking bladed, white, and pink crystals that captivate collectors. Alongside baryte, the mine has yielded a variety of minerals, including chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), cinnabar (HgS), galena (PbS), sphalerite (ZnS), and quartz (SiO2), adding to its allure for mineral enthusiasts.
Geological Structure
The mine’s geology is a fascinating story of Earth’s processes, hosted by silicified greywackes and clay schists of the Kulm facies. It features two main veins and several side veins, with thicknesses ranging from 2 to 10 meters, formed through hydrothermal activity where hot, mineral-rich water deposited baryte and other minerals. The mine was explored to a depth of about 400 meters before closing in 2007.
Mining History
The mining history of Dreislar began in 1777 with Johann Adam Florenz Pape searching for iron ore, evolving over time as rights changed hands. Early attempts at copper and iron mining were unsuccessful, but in 1909, Deutsche Baryt-Industrie Dr. Rudolf Alberti shifted focus to baryte. Operations faced interruptions from World War I and the 1920s economic crisis but revived post-World War II. By 1957, Sachtleben Chemie GmbH scaled up production to 27,000 tons of baryte annually, continuing until the mine closed in 2007 due to exhaustion, with the entrance filled to prevent vandalism.
Local Culture and Characteristics
The legacy of Dreislar Mine lives on at the Schwerspatmuseum (Baryte Museum) in Dreislar’s former school, a cultural gem for mineral enthusiasts. It showcases tools, machinery, a reconstructed mine passage, interactive displays, and a stunning mineral collection, reflecting the region’s industrial heritage. The Sauerland region, with its half-timbered houses and local festivals, offers a warm, rural charm, complemented by outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, making it a vibrant destination year-round.
Climate and Ecology
The Sauerland’s climate is oceanic, modified by elevation, with cold, snowy winters ideal for skiing and mild summers perfect for exploration. This climate supports a rich ecosystem, with the region being a biodiversity hotspot. It hosts species like the wisent (European bison), black stork, Eurasian eagle-owl, and even returning wolves, though challenges like Cyclone Kyrill in 2007 and bark beetle infestations have impacted its forests.
Nearby Famous Localities
Dreislar Mine is part of Sauerland’s mineralogical tapestry, with nearby sites like Ramsbeck Mine in Bestwig, known for lead, zinc, and copper ores, and other mines in Brilon, Meschede, and Winterberg, enhancing the region’s appeal for mineral collectors.