Mines & history of mining
In Switzerland, ores and other mineral resources were already being extracted by mining methods 3500 years ago. There has been no mining activity in this country since 1967 – there is however an interest in its history.

© Verein Bergwerk Riedhof
Summary
Under mining we understand activities for extracting ores or other mineral resources through mining operations, production facilities or smelters.
Development of mining in Switzerland
The beginnings of historical mining in Switzerland go back 3500 years. Mining sites from the 14th and 15th century are known in Graubünden and Wallis. The technical development of the various epochs influenced mining: The 16th and 17th century represented in many places, a high point in the development of mining, in the same way as the first half of the 19th century. Mining was heavily reduced during both of the two world wars. The last two iron ore mines were closed in the 1960s; 1967 was definitely the end of mining in Switzerland.
Historical mining research
Nowadays the Georesources Switzerland Group and various national and regional societies and organizations deal with research and documentation of historical mining. In addition, several exhibition mines are open to the public.
Downloads
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Kuendig R., Bergbau in Minaria Helvetica 14a (German)
PDF, 4 Pages, 754 KB
Who is who
Official contact with respect to mining and historical mining in Switzerland: The Georesources Switzerland Group has at their disposal the research material of the Büro für Bergbau; the Swiss Geological Survey manages the relevant records. In addition, there are various local and regional professional associations and societies in the field of historical mining.
- Georesources Switzerland Group
- Mineral raw materials (swisstopo)
- Mineral raw materials in Switzerland (www.mat-min.ch)
- Schweizerische Gesellschaft für historische Bergbauforschung
- Verein Pro Gonzenbergwerk
- Verein Bergwerk Riedhof
- Bergbauverein Silberberg Davos (BSD)
- The Bex Salt Mines
- Bergwerk Käpfnach
Data
Documentation, reports, databases and maps on mineralization in Switzerland are issued by professional associations and societies.
Publications
- Contribution to the Geology of Switzerland – Geotechnical series
- The mineral resources of Switzerland
Schweizerische Gesellschaft für historische Bergbauforschung (SGHB)
- Summary of contents of the gazette "Minaria"
Geodata

Georesources Switzerland Group
NO F35
Sonneggstrasse 5
CH-8092 Zurich
- Tel.
- +41 44 632 37 28
Quarries 1965 / 1915