Germany is located in Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, to the south of Denmark. Germany covers a total land area of 357,022 km2 and has temperate and marine climates. It is Europe's second most populous country with a total population of 84,119,100 as of 2024 estimates. Population density in Germany is 236 per km2. At present, Germany is Europe's largest and strongest economy, and it ranked as the fourth largest economy in the world at $4.66 trillion as of 2024.1,2
Germany's economy is a core pillar of the European Union (EU), driven by exports and key industries like automotive, chemicals, and engineering. Growth has recently stalled due to the energy crisis and declining exports. The government is implementing fiscal rebalancing by phasing out energy price supports. The nation's diverse industrial base includes iron, steel, coal, machinery, electronics, and textiles.1
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History of Germany’s Mining
Germany's industrial strength was built largely on its underground resources, especially coal. The coal-rich Ruhr region became Western Europe’s largest industrial area. Metal mining in the Mittelgebirge laid early foundations, and after 1871 unification, mining expanded rapidly and transformed the landscape, which later prompted environmental rehabilitation efforts.
Coal production surged from 23 million tons in 1871 to 190 million in 1913, maintaining dominance until the 1960s when it declined due to a shift toward petroleum and imports. Despite the decline, surface mining of lignite, a low-grade coal, became Germany’s main mining activity. Lignite production rose significantly after World War I, especially after losing the Silesian Coal Basin, and peaked in 1988 at over 300 million tons, driven by self-sufficiency goals during the Third Reich and in East Germany. Environmental concerns gained attention only after coal’s decline.3
Current German Mining Landscape
Germany’s mining sector remains vital to its economy, supplying key raw materials to various industries despite growing environmental concerns and the global shift toward greener energy. While thermal coal continues to play a significant role in energy production, coal exports declined by 1.04 % in 2023.
In 2022, the “mining and quarrying” sector generated €11.1 billion in turnover, with €10 billion (about 90 %) from domestic sales and €1.1 billion from exports. The sector contributed €9.2 billion to Germany’s gross value added, representing 0.26 % of the national total.
Employment in the industry slightly increased, reaching 37,330 in 2022 compared to 37,090 in 2021, highlighting its continued economic relevance amid ongoing energy transitions.4-6
Mineral Resources in Germany
Germany possesses a wide range of natural resources, including lignite, coal, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, potash, uranium, salt, construction materials, and timber.
In 2019, Germany was a leading global producer of several minerals. It ranked first in kaolin production (11.7 % of global output), second in fused aluminum oxides (6.2 %) and peat (13.2 %), and third in refined selenium (10.4 %, excluding the US). It was the fourth-largest producer of salt (5.1 m%) and fifth in potash (7.3 %). Other rankings include seventh in silicon carbide (3.5 %), pig iron (2.0 %), bentonite (2.4 %), raw steel (2.2 %), and lime (1.6 %); eighth in refined copper (2.6 %); ninth in diatomite (2.4 %); 10th in industrial sand and gravel (2.3 %); and 11th in gypsum (2.2 %).1,7
Germany was also a significant producer of boron compounds, feldspar, fluorspar, graphite, iron oxide pigments, nitrogen, and sulfur. The most notable production increase in 2019 was in mineral jelly, waxes, and petroleum paraffins, which rose by 40 %. Cement production increased by 0.8 % in 2019 compared to the previous year. Conversely, lignite production fell by 21 %, direct-reduced iron and residual fuel oil by 16 % each, and primary refined copper by 11 %. Anthracite and bituminous coal production stopped in 2018.7
Germany remained a major global exporter of industrial goods and processed mineral products. Despite domestic lignite self-sufficiency, the country relied heavily on imports for most metals and mineral fuels, including natural gas and crude oil. With the exception of low-grade iron ore, no metal ores were mined domestically. The metal sector depended on imported ores and metallic scrap.
Germany’s mineral processing industry benefited from a skilled workforce, strong research and innovation, recycling technologies, and free-trade agreements, making it a major global consumer and processor of minerals.7
Key Players
No metallic mineral ores, except for low-grade iron ore, have been mined domestically since Germany closed its last metal mines in 1992. Despite this, Germany hosts major metal-processing companies.
ThyssenKrupp Steel AG based near Duisburg was Germany’s leading raw steel producer and ranked 35th globally. ArcelorMittal S.A., based in Luxembourg, was the second-largest producer in Germany and the top producer worldwide, while Salzgitter AG ranked third nationally.7
Aurubis AG led refined copper production in both Germany and the EU and was the second-largest producer of copper cathodes. Glencore plc was the leading producer of zinc metal.
Norsk Hydro ASA, ranked second in aluminum production, owned Germany’s largest primary aluminum smelter—Rheinwerk in Neuss.
Berzelius Metall GmbH, based in Stolberg, led primary lead production. In 2019, Dadco GmbH was the sole producer of alumina, with a refinery in Lower Saxony. Germany’s top potash producer was K+S Group, headquartered in Kassel. Through K+S Kali GmbH, it operated seven potash mines in three districts and had additional operations in Canada.7
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Most quarrying firms are small regional enterprises, especially in sand, gravel, and clay. In the sand and gravel sector, 53 % of firms had fewer than 10 employees, and 43 % of crushed stone firms had similarly small workforces. This is partly due to mechanization and government support for small businesses.
In 2019, Deutsche Lithium GmbH (a 50–50 joint venture between Bacanora Minerals and SolarWorld) completed a feasibility study for the Zinnwald lithium project, located near Dresden. It is expected to produce 5100 t/yr of lithium fluoride and 32,000 t/yr of potassium sulfate over a 30-year lifespan. Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd. of Australia also plans lithium extraction in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley geothermal field.7
Technological Advancements
Germany’s mining industry is entering a new era with the adoption of digital technologies designed to enhance both efficiency and sustainability. By integrating automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), mining operations are becoming smarter—enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and more informed decision-making.
AI is playing a growing role in optimizing resource extraction while helping to reduce environmental impact. On the safety front, the industry is seeing improvements such as upgraded ventilation systems, more responsive emergency plans, and drone-based monitoring of mining sites.
Core areas of focus include expanding the use of automation and robotics to cut labor costs, applying advanced data analytics to guide operational decisions, and investing in sustainable technologies that reduce the industry’s environmental footprint. Together, these innovations are paving the way for safer, more efficient, and more responsible mining practices.4
Environmental and Social Impact of Germany’s Mining
Germany’s mining industry has faced growing environmental and safety concerns. Lignite surface mining, especially around Cologne and Lower Lusatia, has devastated landscapes, displaced over 100,000 people between 1950 and 1989, and continues to impact villages today.
Environmental groups have strongly opposed the mining process and greenhouse gas emissions from thermal power plants, notably at the Hambach mine. In response, Germany plans to end coal and lignite mining by 2038.
Past mining in the Ruhr region caused sinkholes and water issues, threatening communities. To address these problems, the IBA Emscher Park project in the 1980s rehabilitated former industrial sites with greenery, transforming the Ruhr's landscape.3,4
Government Regulations
Germany’s main mining legislation is the Federal Mining Act, enacted in 1980 and revised in 2006, which governs most mineral extraction. However, the production of certain materials—such as gypsum, limestone, peat, and specific sands and gravels—is regulated under separate land-use and environmental laws at both Federal and State levels. Although the Federal Mining Act does not mandate a Federal Mines Inspectorate, it enforces many of its provisions under Articles 83 and 84 of the Constitution. The Environmental Impact Assessment Act (EIA Act), revised in 2006, requires environmental assessments for all waste repositories used by the mineral industry.7
Challenges and Opportunities
Germany’s mining industry faces environmental concerns and volatile global commodity prices, impacting profitability and requiring flexible strategies. To stay competitive, companies adopt innovative solutions and comply with regulations.
Notably, lithium extraction offers promising investment opportunities due to growing demand for critical minerals in battery production. Germany’s focus on developing its lithium resources positions the mining sector for future growth and attracts investor interest.4
Future Outlook
Germany aims to maintain its leadership in mineral and metal processing while transitioning from hard coal mining to green technologies. Although some exploration, like lithium projects, is underway, new mining developments will take years due to strict environmental regulations and industry oversight.
References and Further Reading
- Germany [Online] Available at https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/germany/ (Accessed on 17 September 2025)
- GDP (current US$) – Germany [Online] Available at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=DE&view=map (Accessed on 17 September 2025)
- Deshaies, M. Mines, the Environment, and Mining Landscapes in Germany[Online] Available at https://ehne.fr/en/encyclopedia/themes/ecology-and-environment/protecting-environment-and-managing-natural-ressources/mines-environment-and-mining-landscapes-in-germany (Accessed on 17 September 2025)
- Mining Industry in Germany: Insights and Opportunities [Online] Available at https://duscons.com/mining-industry-in-germany-insights-and-opportunities/ (Accessed on 17 September 2025)
- Contribution to the GDP and turnover [Online] Available at https://d-eiti.de/en/report/bip-und-umsatz/ (Accessed on 17 September 2025)
- Number of employees in the mining and quarrying industry in Germany from 2021 to 2022 [Online] Available at https://www.statista.com/statistics/385540/number-of-employees-mining-quarrying-sector-germany/ (Accessed on 17 September 2025)
- Safirova, E. (2023) The Mineral Industry of Germany [Online] Available at https://pubs.usgs.gov/myb/vol3/2019/myb3-2019-germany.pdf (Accessed on 17 September 2025)
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