Mežica Mine

The Mežica lead and zinc mine is one of the oldest mines in Europe, with the first written mentions dating from 1665. Ore was already discovered in this area by the Romans. The first record of lead mined beneath Peca is found in the account book of the Carinthian duke Ernest the Iron from 1424. The year 1665 saw the issuance of the first permit to carry out mining work.

The mining of lead and zinc ore continued for 332 years with a few interruptions in between. In 1620 the ironmaster and miner Melhior Puc from the Lavant Valley settled in Črna and also transferred his concessions for two smelting furnaces. In 1624 he sold the mine and ironworks to Count H. L. Thurn from Pliberk.

Only in 1809, when the mine became part of Napoleon's Illyrian Provinces, did the Mežica mine experience its rise. The Brunner-Kompoš mining company introduced modern techniques and methods of work. In 1871 the Bleiberger Bergwers Union company was founded and took over all the operations in this area, and after 1896 it focused on processing ore in Žerjav. Production grew rapidly and, after the First World War, reached 1% of world lead production.

Source: podzemljepece.com