Erzberg mine

The Erzberg seen from Pfaffenstein

The ore is a mountain in the Styrian town of iron ore in the mountain range of the Alps Eisenerzer. Since at least the 11th century, iron ore is mined at Erzberg, mostly siderite. The as "Styrian Loaf " said Berg is thus still the most important economic base in an otherwise structurally weak region dar. The Erzberg indebted for important Austrian institutions such as the voestalpine with its steelworks in Linz and Leoben- Donawitz or the University of Leoben their existence. He was also the basis of the economic recovery of the region Eisenwurzen and the eastern Upper Styria from the 16th to the 20th century.

The mining at Erzberg is operated by the VA Erzberg GmbH, which belongs to the voestalpine Group.

  • 6.1 Notes and references

Geology

The ore belongs to the greywacke zone. He is considered the largest Sideritvorkommen ( FeCO3 ) in the world. In addition to siderite is the degraded material about from ankerite and iron- rich dolomite ( rough wall ). Because of this mixing with less iron-rich minerals of the iron content is only between 22-40 %, on average about 33%.

Every year about 2 million tons of ore currently being mined, which by train to Linz (1.5 million tonnes) and Leoben- Donawitz ( 750,000 tons ) are transported.

Legend of Aquarius

According to legend, the discovery of iron deposits at Erzberg is due to the knowledge of an Aquarius. He lived in a cave northwest of iron ore and was caught by the residents near the Leopoldsteinersee using a pitch -soaked jacket. In order to buy his freedom again, he offered " gold ten year, ' silver for one hundred years ' or iron for ever ." The wise Eisenerzer chose the latter, after which they showed the ore of Aquarius. Having satisfied itself of the ore deposits, they left the Aquarius free and this disappeared in a karst spring, which has since been called water manhole.

History

For about 400 years the ore mine is attributed to the legendary founding date 712 in the city of iron ore. The current estimate is from " pure invention of scholars " to the adoption of a mining operation in the Slavic period. Historical place names and discoveries of the remains of wall melting with iron slag in the Eisenerzer Alps suggests that the Carantanians have also operated ore mining and smelting furnaces. In 1512 consecrated Eisenerzer Oswaldikirche formerly an inscription said to have found that documented the establishment of mining the ore, with the year 712. The weird exact date could be explained by a confusion with the year the church inauguration since the late Gothic numerals 5 and 7 very similar looks out and then the thousands number was usually omitted. The Innerberger main union came to meet this so that they could keep solemn millennium celebrations in 1712. The extent to which the then existing historical sources were incorrectly interpreted or deliberately extended, is no longer unique to clarify today.

The ore is first mentioned to 1171.

In the 14th century the mining of iron ore in the Styrian Erzberg, the production of pig iron and the processing was clearly ordered by decree of the lords. The upper half of the mountain was opened up by the south front of the mountain, while the lower part of Inner Mountain, today's iron ore was exploited. A horizontal line at 1186 m above sea level, the so-called plane height, divided the mountain. An iron order, adopted in 1448, also led to a division of the territories. Northern Europe was supplied by Inner Mountain while south-eastern Europe, received iron from Vorderberg over to Venice in the Levant. The iron trade was concentrated in Steyr and Leoben, who could enforce this regard as privileged centers. Steyr received early in 1287 by the Prince the Great Privilege for trading Innerberger iron and 1314 Leoben for trade with the Vordernberger iron.

Until the introduction of powder blasting in 1720 the ore mining in tunnels that were pushed forward with hammer and chisel in the mountain was. First one made the explosives with black powder and after the invention of dynamite with this much more powerful new explosives. Today, modern emulsion explosives are used, which are made ​​sharply after the pumping. In the 19th century, the iron extraction experienced by the initiatives of Archduke Johann a big boost from which benefited the whole region. The open pit was inspired by the Viennese Professor Franz Xaver Riepl. 1986 underground mining was discontinued two years later, an exhibition mine was set up in the tunnels.

In the tunnels VA Erzberg is planning the construction of a center for tunnel safety.

Reduction in floors

The distinctive pyramid shape of the Erzberg was from 1890, when the stepped surface mining was introduced. 1907 there were 60 steps with 12 meters high, 1928 you halved the number to 30 steps - which are named after saints or earned miners. With 24 meters per stage, they lend the Erzberg its present appearance.

The name of floors ( with an indication of altitude ): Emil ( 1464.4 ), Thekla ( 1456.2 ), Altenberg ( 1431.4 ), Rosina ( 1407.3 ), Eva ( 1383.1 ), Achazi ( 1359, 0), Ferdinand ( 1334.8 ), Full Ritsch ( 1314.7 ), Pauli ( 1290.7 ), Zauchen ( 1270.7 ), Elisabeth ( 1254.1 ); machinery ( 1227.9 ), Mariahilf ( 1208.1 ), Christof ( 1186.6 ), Rothballer ( 1160.2 ), Hell ( 1133.4 ), Johann ( 1120.0 ), Schuchart ( 1108.1 ), Epiphany ( 1085.1 ), Cunegonde ( 1071.0 ), Ignazi ( 1062.1 ), Rudolfinum ( 1050.1 ), Vorauer ( 1037.7 ), Looking tunnel ( 1025,0 ), cushion ( 1001.2 ), Leitner ( 988.9 ), Elias ( 971.8 ), Schiller ( 944.2 ), Antoni ( 917.7 ), Liedemann ( 901.4 ), Palmer ( 878.9 ), Etage5 * ( 856.0 ), Etage4 * ( 844.1 ), Etage3 ( 831.9 ), Etage1 ( 806.7 ), Peter Tunner ( 787.0 ), Sybold ( 765.3 ), Etage3 ( 740.0 ), Etage4 * ( 720.0 ), Etage5 * ( 700.0 )

Use for sporting events

After 1988 and 1989 on the Erzberg mountain two automobile races were held, which were referred to as " Europe's Pikes Peak Race", one of the toughest enduro race in the world, the Erzberg Rodeo is here since 1995, once held annually. Here, gathered regularly the world's elite, but also many private drivers to conquer the mountain with motorcycles. Karl Katoch counts as an author and organizer of this international event. 1500 riders from more than 30 nations start Friday or Saturday for Prolog. The 4- day event culminates on Sunday at the 4- hour Red Bull Hare Scramble, in which usually the - reach the target 500 starters less than 50 riders - leftover after the Trials. Many of the private drivers fail right at the first steep slope.

Since 2003 is an annual mountain race held at the Erzberg. Judging by the number of participants is one of the Erzberg run with over 1000 students per year to the largest mountain running sporting events in Austria. This 745 vertical meters covered in a section length of 12.5 km.

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