Saxon Mining Authority approves plans for new mine in Pöhla

The Saxon Mining Authority has approved the plans for a new mine in Pöhla in the Ore Mountains. The so-called framework operating plan has been approved with a planning approval decision, the office announced. The company Saxony Minerals & Exploration AG (SME AG) wants to extract tin, tungsten, fluorspar and indium, among other things, in the mine in the Schwarzenberg district of Pöhla.

According to earlier information, SME plans to extract up to 400,000 tons of ore per year. The raw materials are to be processed in the region. According to the company, the deposit is sufficient for mining operations for 60 to 70 years.

Multi-year approval process

SME had originally planned to open the mine in 2021. However, it initially remained with an exploratory shaft and a pilot plant. The Management Board complained that the approval process was dragging on.

"We are very relieved and delighted. It has been a long road," said a company spokesperson on the approval of the framework operating plan. On 18 November, SME wants to provide information in Pöhla on how things will actually proceed on site.

Tungsten and tin particularly in demand

According to the Upper Mining Authority, the project includes the exploration of the deposit, the extraction of the mineral resources underground and the operation of a processing plant. A stockpile is also to be built.

Tungsten, tin, zinc, fluorspar, copper, indium, iron, silver and cadmium could be extracted from the mine. In terms of quantity and profitability, tungsten and tin would be the most important. In terms of supplying the economy, they are among the most critical raw materials.

"The project will therefore make an important contribution to improving the geopolitically stable availability of the aforementioned raw materials in Germany and the European Union," said the Upper Mining Authority.