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A characteristic feature of the Lauta mining landscape is the intersecting lines of heaps belonging to the two major silver ore veins known as the “Bauer Morgengang” and the “Elisabeth Flachen”. Most of the heaps date back to the 16th century. In the 18th century, the ‘water hole shaft’ – renamed the Rudolph Shaft in 1839 – became the main shaft in the area. Silver mining at the Rudolph Shaft, and consequently in the Marienberg mining district, ceased in 1899. From 1947 to 1954, the Rudolph Shaft was used to prospect for, and extract, uranium ore. Until 1962, it was also used for fluorite mining. Today, the shaft displays a reconstructed horse gin, modelled on historical designs, which is used for demonstrations.

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