Schneeberg is one of Europe’s highest-altitude mountain mines; it was also the longest operating mine in the Alps.
In the mountain range between Ridanna and Passiria (Passeier), the deposits of ore ranged from 2,000 – 2,650 metres in elevation. Legions of mountain miners unearthed precious silver, lead and zinc for nearly a millennium, under the most extreme of climatic-and technical working conditions. They dug a maze of tunnels, shafts and lines running a total of 130 to 150 kilometres. The heyday of the mining industry led to the construction of the world's largest open pit ore-handling system on rails, which is mostly still preserved today.
IDM Film Fund & Commission — Alto Adige
Via del Macello, 73 — 39100 Bolzano
Phone: +39 0471 094 294
Email: luisa.giuliani@idm-suedtirol.com
Shooting authorisation: BergbauWelt Ridnaun-Schneeberg Maiern 48 - Masseria 48, 39040 - Ridnaun - Ridanna, T +39 0472 656364, F +39 0472 656404, E hermann.schoelzhorn@bergbaumuseum.it, W www.ridnaun-schneeberg.it