Wood's Role in Mining - Timbering and door frames

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Wood has always played a special role in mining. Enormous amounts of it were needed to produce charcoal, to fire roasting and melting furnaces, and also as timber for mineshafts. Local farmers were the wood suppliers. Finally the wood consumption in mining was responsible that entire forests in Pongau were largely cleared.

The choice of wood in mine construction to brace tunnels was crucial. The “timbering support system” had to fi t – and this is where the job title timberman, or carpenter, comes from. Only larch wood was used. This wood was considered unique in terms of its moisture tolerance and longevity. But a second factor – that of “warning” – was also decisive. Larch wood creaks and groans for a long time before it breaks. This was very important to the survival of the miners.

Larch wood was also used for the “door frame”. This version of a rectangular extension of the tunnel, which resembles that of the door frame of a house door, consists of two vertical pit props and a casing above them. This kept the forces acting from above in check quite well.