Kaolin mining Glückauf

In the southeastern area, kaolin was extracted by underground mining between 1883 and 1974. Following the kaolin extraction, the resulting subsidence areas were filled in with the overburden.

From 1957 until the 90s, the northwestern kaolin deposits were extracted by open-pit mining using bucket-chain excavators and universal excavators. The raw kaolin was initially transported to Querbitzsch for processing and, from 1963 onward, transported away by electric locomotive. A total of 2,8 million tons of raw kaolin were extracted by 2003. 2,2 million cubic meters of overburden were relocated.

Reclamation measures were initiated starting in the 1990s. Today, in addition to the motorsport facility on the former open-cast mine site, there is a fishing lake in the flooded area. Ongoing mining activities by the Kemmlitz Kaolin Works take place in the southeastern field.

Because of the variations, the kaolin from the Glückauf deposit can be used as a special type for electroceramics.

Please pay attention to the information provided by the municipalities and owners regarding the condition and accessibility of the geotopes.