Mining in the Sauer Valley

Renowned for its geological richness, mining in the Sauer Valley began very early on, with mottled sandstone, dolomite, and gypsum-anhydrite rock being extracted here. The mines were mostly open pit, and stone was generally extracted as a building material for the local and regional markets. Underground mining first began on the Luxembourg side of the Sauer Valley, near the village of Rosport. At the time, gypsum and anhydrite from the Middle Muschelkalk layer were extracted there and transformed into moulding plaster and other building products. Gypsum and anhydrite extraction gradually declined on the Luxembourg side of the valley during the second half of the twentieth century, whereas on the German side it was just beginning to take off.

Our company, Gipsbergbau Engel, began by exploring the Middle Muschelkalk deposits along the Sauer Valley and its side valleys. The deposits near Wintersdorf and Ralingen were found to be the most promising and mining activities began there. That is why the Horst-Peter-Stollen mine we are currently working is located near Ralingen.

Mining helped the Sauer Valley and the surrounding area to flourish, and it continues to do so to this day. As well as guaranteeing a constant supply of raw materials, it creates jobs and is an important part of community life – the close partnership between the local mine and fire rescue teams bears witness to this.