The Arzberg Explosives Magazine and Blasting with Gun Powder
by Alfred Weiss
Abstract: Blasting techniques have been playing an important role in mining since its first use in 1627 in Schemnitz. Until to the 19th century only gunpowder (“Schwarzpulver”) was used. Gunpowder was produced in state-owned mills and delivered in wooden barrels or bags of leather to customers. The explosives were used in small cartridges made of waterproof paper or leather, which were lightened with straws or thin reedtubes, filled with gunpowder as detonators. The time delay of ignition was caused by threads of fused sulphur, differing in length. Explosives were stored in towerlike magazines of different style. The explosives-magazine of Arzberg, constructed in the 18th century is an extraordinary technical monument, which was restored professionally in 2004.
Key Words: Arzberg; Lead-Zinc mine; Explosives magazine; Gun powder.
Joannea Geol. Paläont. 7: 127-145 (2005)
