The Ore Mountains Mining Area in Bohemia: A Reservoir of Silver Resources in Central Europe in the Sixteenth Century

Wealthy German commercial firms, including the Welser, Höchtstetter, and Fugger families, dominated silver mining in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří) during the 16th century, exploiting local resources while leaving a significant environmental footprint. Archaeological and paleo-environmental evidence reveals that mining activities led to forest overexploitation, pollution of land and water, and disruption of local ecosystems. Despite the implementation of mining statutes, ecological damage persisted due to insufficient regulation. The study highlights how economic power concentrated in foreign hands shaped peripheral economies, with long-term environmental consequences. Scholarly works like Agricola's De Re Metallica (1556) reflect early awareness of these risks.

Claire, S. (2022). The Ore Mountains Mining Area in Bohemia: A Reservoir of Silver Resources in Central Europe in the Sixteenth Century. Global Environment, 15(1), 47–70. https://doi.org/10.3197/ge.2022.150103