Saxony may have more potential in tin mining than previously assumed. This is suggested by a reassessment by Freiberg-based mining company Saxore for the Gottesberg project in the Westerzgebirge mountains. The updated resource estimate assumes around 37 million tons of ore with around 90,900 tons of tin that could be mined economically, Managing Director Matthias Faust told the German press agency dpa. This is almost three times as much as previously assumed.
Mining projects need staying power - and a lot of money
Saxore is also pressing ahead with plans for a mine. The so-called framework operating plan for the deposit in Tellerhäuser is currently being examined by the mining authority, explained Faust. "If this is approved, we will start excavating the mine." Trial operation is not realistic until 2029 at the earliest. 500,000 tons of tin ore are currently expected to be produced annually. Around 2,500 tons of tin could be extracted from this.
And what will happen in Gottesberg (Vogtlandkreis)? "Our plan is to get the Tellerhäuser project off the ground first," emphasizes Faust. After all, such projects require a lot of patience and money. According to Faust, an investment of around 150 to 200 million euros is required for such a mine. And work on the Tellerhäuser project has already been going on for 15 years.
"Our goal is not to start mining in the short term," explains Faust with regard to the deposit in Gottesberg. "Rather, it is about sound, medium-term preparation. Should supply bottlenecks or interruptions occur in the future, we want to have reliable data on which resources are available and how they can be developed responsibly."
