Mining in the Sauer Valley

The varied geology in the Sûre Valley led to the extraction of the rocks early on. Red sandstone, dolomite and gypsum/anhydrite rock in particular were extracted. This mainly involved the extraction of building materials for local and regional needs, which was mostly carried out in open-cast mines. Underground mining initially developed on the Luxembourg side of the Sûre near the village of Rosport. Gypsum/anhydrite rock was extracted from deposits of Middle Muschelkalk and processed into stucco gypsum and other building material products. While the extraction of gypsum/anhydrite rock was discontinued on the Luxembourg side in the second half of the 20th century, the deposits on the German side were only then developed:

Gipsbergbau Engel GmbH investigated the deposits of the Middle Muschelkalk along the valley cuts of the Sauer and the side valleys. Deposits worth mining were discovered and developed, particularly in the vicinity of Wintersdorf and Ralingen. This is how today's Horst-Peter-Stollen mine was created in the municipality of Ralingen.

Mining in the Sauer Valley has contributed and continues to contribute to the economic development of the region, to the supply of raw materials and to its safety. It creates jobs and is actively involved in everyday life - for example through good cooperation between the mine rescue and fire brigade.