Mining in Switzerland

Mining in Switzerland at a glance

First recorded mining

c. 3000 BC (Neolithic flint, Loewenburg, Pleigne). HLS says flint extraction in the Jura is confirmed by archaeology for the Neolithic, for example at Loewenburg near Pleigne around 3000 BC. Source: Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz

Mining since

c. 3000 BC (Neolithic flint) (3,000 BC). Flint extraction is confirmed for the Neolithic. Roman-period mining is often claimed but HLS says it has not been proven on site. Source: Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz

Defining moment

Salt strike at Muttenz near Basel, 30 May 1836. After many failed borings from 1820, Carl Christian Friedrich Glenck struck a 6 m rock salt layer at 135 m depth. Source: Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz

State mining company

Schweizer Salinen AG (salt; owned by the 26 cantons and the Principality of Liechtenstein). Only Swiss salt producer; listed in the USGS structure table. Source: USGS

Key mining regions

Gonzen (Sargans, iron); Bex (Vaud, salt); Rhine saltworks near Basel and Rheinfelden Source: Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz

Main mines

Gonzen iron mine, Sargans (ore to 1966, tourist mine railway since 1983), Bex salt mines Source: Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz

Official sitesGeological survey

Mining employment from the ILO usually counts all of mining and quarrying, often with oil and gas; national shares of GDP and exports are as each source defines them.