Paussbauer - Mining in Mitterberg
Copper mining in the Mitterberg in
Mühlbach am Hochkönig was resumed
by the “Research Society of German
Copper Mining” after World War II. The
construction of stable and underground
shafts streamlined the production
conditions. In addition, the fl otation
systems were expanded with separate
chalcopyrite and pyrite concentrate
production. The problem was the lack of
a copper smelter. The ore concentrates
were fi rst delivered to Arnoldstein/
Carinthia and later – in times of falling
prices – to the copper processing company
Montanwerke in Brixlegg/Tyrol.
Development of copper prices led to
further streamlining in mining and
ore processing. With the reopening of
Westfeld in 1972, a clear streamlining of
the mining was achieved again. However,
another drop in prices in 1974 meant
that the company could no longer work
economically, so that ÖIAG shut down the
business on November 1, 1976. On average,
the mining company employed around 500
people, and in the end only 250. The total
ore reserves were still around 10 million
tons at the time of the closure.
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