Maybe your summer holiday takes you to this historical mine site.

Just a few kilometers from the Austrian border lies the largest lead, zinc and wulfenite ore deposit in Slovenia and part of the largest lead-zinc ore district in Europe. These ores are mostly found in dolomite and marlstone dominated carbonate rocks of the the Middle and Upper Triassic period 250-200 million years ago.

Lead mining in the Mežica mine under Mount Peca dates back to 1665, with zinc and molybdenum beginning to be mined in the 1870’s. After mining ended in 1994, the mine was opened to visitors, who are able to explore the mine by railway, bike or kayak. There is a visitors’ center and museum on site.

Learn more about the Mežica mine and the UNESCO Global Geopark.

Mintell4EU is preparing a European map showing Historical mine sites with touristic interests and information. The map will be accessible at EGDI, European Geological Data Infrastructure by the end of 2020.