Die königliche Braunkohlengrube Zscherben bei Halle/Saale (Sachsen-Anhalt)

Abstract

Oelke, E.: The Royal Lignite Mine Zscherben near Halle/Saale (Sachsen-Anhalt). - Hercynia N.F. 44(2011): 1 – 25.Lignite was continuously exploited near Zscherben from 1796 to 1944. Until 1868 it happened for andon behalf of the Prussian kings later the company of shareholders mine “Old Zscherben”. The lignitecame into existence during the lower Oligocene. Here the upper seam was developed very constantlybut only in a thickness of 2 metres (seam Lochau), and belonged to the local geological Nietleben -Bennstedt basin. All the time the mine had some winning points, where lignite was won simultaneouslyunderground from shafts and galleries and opencast after removed by the overlying strata. After havingfinished the exploitation area was carefully planed down und than covered with fertile soil. Privatecoachmen transported the lignite from Zscherben to Halle, where it was burnt largely in both the salinasof Halle. Increasingly enterprisers had the lignite formed and partly dried and soled them as briquetteson the market. So the royal mine Zscherben has been one of the most important collieries to supply thesalinas and the inhabitants of Halle with lignite.Key words: Mining, lignite, Zscherben, Halle (Saale)