Copper Mining Spectacle in Sangerhausen: A Revel in Ancient Mining Traditions
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Hold on to your miner's helmets! Sangerhausen, that old-time copper mining hotspot in Saxony-Anhalt, threw a wild International Mining Parade to celebrate its deep-rooted copper mining heritage. Over 1,000 participants from mining, smelting, and mining guild associations stormed the town's streets. This exciting event served as the grand finale for the "825 Years of Copper Mining in the Sangerhausen District and the Mansfeld Region" bash!
During this lively, historical throwback, you could spot folks in traditional garb and waving gleaming banners, all while being entertained by an assortment of beatin' bands. Minister-President Reiner Haseloff and Economic Minister Sven Schulze even joined in the festivities!
Copper extraction didn't just start with shovels and pickaxes on the surface, but eventually moved on to simple pits and short shafts. Nowadays, more than 10,000 shaft remnants, called "pingen," still pepper Sangerhausen. The entire mining area in the Mansfeld region stretched out over 22 kilometers by 18 kilometers. The end of days came with the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the last shift was worked on August 10, 1990. Wrecked, appalling smelting plants, like those in Helbra, were shut down.
Fun Facts:
- Did you know that the Mansfeld region had an area larger than Paris with mining activities?
- In the 15th century, the Sangerhausen mines were major suppliers of copper to the cities of Nuremberg, Augsburg, and Leipzig.
- The presence of the mines influenced Sangerhausen's development, making it a center of commerce and a hub for the spread of knowledge and culture.
As the community showcased its rich mining traditions in Sangerhausen, the importance of the industry was highlighted. Discussions about community trade policies may include the free movement of workers in the mining sector, allowing skilled workers from neighboring regions to contribute to the industry's revival.
The recent mining parade served as an opportunity to celebrate the city's mining history, but it also pointed towards the future. The freedom to work and the freedom to provide services in fields like finance and energy could play a crucial role in the development and modernization of Sangerhausen, especially in the oil-and-gas sector given its mining past.
