Outlook / Epilogue
Another “ore rush”?
Our world is still dependent on mining. All human-made products today require raw materials obtained by mining. Artificial Intelligence and renewable energies cannot exist without natural resources from the ground. That is why countries and companies around the world are searching for new deposits.
The Ore Mountains are in the focus of attention once again. The Wismut company stopped mining operations in 1991, but today there are efforts to revive the mining industry to extract rare elements such as tin, silver and lithium. The Saxon state government committed to the mining of critical raw materials in the Ore Mountains with its new Raw Material Strategy in 2023. But what will the impact be if the natural resources of the Ore Mountains become important to the world again? Who will profit and who will bear the burden?
Key Exhibits
Zinnwaldite
Altenberg-Zinnwald, Eastern Ore Mountains
Loaned by: Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden
Zinnwaldite was first described in 1845 and named after the place where it was found in the Eastern Ore Mountains. It is a lithium ore. But in the 19th century, people could not really do much with this metal yet. That has changed: Today, lithium is one of the most sought-after battery metals.
Drill Core
Drill core from an exploratory drilling
2011
Mining district Geyer
Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology
Statements
Yes or no?
It could be that ores will be mined in Saxony again in just a few years. At the moment, tin and lithium are the hottest candidates for mining. Not all people in the Ore Mountains are happy about this development, especially in the immediate vicinity of the future mines.
We have come up with eight statements from fictitious people below. We found role models at public meetings and in media reports. They are intended to show the range of opinions and positions. What do you think?
Young mother (30):
I live near a planned mine and I’m very worried about my family. My grandfather worked for Wismut and died of cancer 20 years ago. I’m worried about the groundwater seeping away and what about the dust from the mine dumps? Fifty heavy lorries are supposed to drive through here every day. How are you supposed to bring up your child? And if I notice damage caused by mining, then the obligation to provide evidence lies with me, not the mining company. Nobody thinks about us ordinary people, our health and groundwater, the whole of nature. Nobody cares.
Former miner (60):
I was still an apprentice at Wismut in the 80s. Mining was a unique experience for me. After reunification, I had to go to the West in search of work. But I miss mining and the camaraderie. The Ore Mountains have always been a mining region, the name says it all. With the new ore rush, we now have a unique opportunity to bring the region forward again and get out of this lethargy. Let’s tackle it!
Head of the Raw Materials Department at the Federal Ministry of Economics (50):
The world market is a battlefield. Individual countries and power blocks compete relentlessly for exclusive access to important raw materials. With this access, they can strengthen their own economies and weaken the competition. We have seen how supply chains have broken during Covid. For example, 98% of all rare earths needed in Europe now come from China. We are currently as dependent as a junkie – on raw materials and suppliers. If we mined them ourselves, we would be more independent and have reserves in emergencies. The key for the future of Germany and Europe lies in Saxony, which is why we have to make sacrifices.
Pensioner from a mining town (71):
I rebuilt my life after reunification, renovated the house, then the flood in 2002, damage to the house, and started again. Now I want to spend a quiet retirement in my garden. And then they’re planning a mine dump right in the neighbourhood! My property will lose a lot of value and my view will be ruined. I can’t listen to any more talk of a green turnaround! We’ve already had mining here – they should dig in their own garden. You just want to have your peace and quiet and you get one blow to the neck after another!
Saxon mining official (37):
Raw materials from mining are the basis of our cosy life. Without these raw materials, no industry can function in our country, so they are the pillars of our economy. If the country is deindustrialised, we will all lose prosperity and no one will be able to afford tourism. As raw materials are needed worldwide for billions of people, mining in Saxony is necessary for all of us. High-tech raw materials for the semiconductor industry in particular are abundant in the Free State of Saxony and are the key to the future. There is a strict mining law here, which has the most rigorous requirements in the world for the protection of the population and the environment. We have almost 500 years of experience here.
Mayor of the town (45):
It’s true that mining has characterised our community for centuries and we always look forward to the mining parade in Advent. But as mayor, I have to make decisions in the here and now for the benefit of our community! For decades, we have had to minimise the impact of mining on the landscape and promote tourism, now all year round. This requires beautiful nature. Mining is a burden on this nature and, above all, on our infrastructure. We would have to spend twice as much money on road repairs while the tax surplus is cashed in by the state. The additional jobs do not compensate for the costs incurred by the municipality. We already can’t find enough qualified people to work in catering, public health, or education. None of this pays off for us as a municipality and our people don’t want it either!
Mining entrepreneur (53):
Modern mining today is completely different to that of 35 years ago in the GDR. It is more environmentally friendly and technologically advanced. Many processes are now automated and there is a great deal of expertise in further development here in Saxony. Thanks to the high raw material prices worldwide, it is worthwhile for our company to mine in the Ore Mountains and we can create a model mine here that is state of the art. All the regulations imposed by the Free State of Saxony are slowing us down at the moment, but we know that complying with them will create acceptance among the population. We bring new, well-paid jobs to the communities, from engineers to service staff. We are also happy to support the municipality with funding applications. Of course, we also want to earn money – otherwise the investors would walk. And, frankly, we can certainly talk about money for local schools and the outdoor pool once things are running.
Employee of a human rights organisation (32):
At the moment, each and every one of us is practising commodity colonialism and ignoring the consequences worldwide. In the countries in South America, Africa and Asia, people often work in corrupt systems for starvation wages and with poor health and safety at work; child labour is the rule. The consequences for the local environment are devastating – and not just in lithium mining. Instead of insisting on an improvement in working conditions and enforcing fair prices, rich countries prefer to look after exclusive rights. Ultimately, only profit counts. The people there feel betrayed and consider the West’s emphasis on the green transition hypocritical.
Vote now!
If you could decide for yourself: Should there be ore mining in the Ore Mountains again?
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