The Ramsbeck main entrance runs from east to west in the Ruhr source area. It was formed during the Variscan mountain building in the Palaeozoic. It is the largest lead and zinc ore deposit in the Sauerland region, from which silver, copper and sulfur gravel were also extracted in smaller quantities. The ore has been mined since the 10th century, possibly even earlier. In 1853, the euphoric development phase of the "California in the Sauerland" took place, which, however, ended in a stock exchange fraud case. From 1855 on, the industrial expansion of the mine began, which flourished until 1974.
The Sauerland visitor mine with museum and mine train is located in the center of Ramsbeck.
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For more info, visit the mine's homepage.