In Ghremnitz, the mines are carefully kept open from the bottom to the top. Where there is no solid rock, timber and supports are used to prevent collapses. The miners follow many veins of ore, which often run north or east. They organize their work according to the time of day, using a compass divided into twenty-four points instead of the usual thirty-two points used at sea. This helps them navigate underground precisely, like dividing the day into hours Ore Transport from the Mine.
Types of Gold Ore
The gold ore in Ghremnitz varies in color and quality. Some ore is white, some black, some red, and some yellow. The most valuable ore is white with black spots or ore lying next to black veins. This ore is rich but not easily tested in small amounts, unlike ore from other mines.
Washing the Ore
To find the metal, miners pound a large quantity of ore and wash it in a small river near the town. The river is divided into many channels, and the water flows continuously over the ore, washing away the earthy parts and leaving the metal behind. As the river passes over the ore and through many mining works, it changes color. By the time it reaches the lower part of the town, the water becomes dark yellow, similar to the earth in the hills Customized Round Turkey Tours.
Seasonal Work and River Maintenance
The miners usually work all year, except on six special days, including two at Easter and two at Whitsuntide. On these days, the river is allowed to flow freely, and the miners stop working. This lets the water clear naturally and maintain the riverbanks, ensuring the washing process continues effectively throughout the year.
Pure Gold Discoveries
Occasionally, pieces of pure or “virgin” gold are found. Some of these rare pieces are kept in the Emperor’s treasury or in official repositories. One piece I saw was as broad as the palm of a hand, and others were smaller. Some were displayed on a white stone, showing the bright and natural gold. Although these pieces are rare, they are highly prized.
Gold in the Surrounding Hills
Even the ordinary yellow earth around Ghremnitz, especially in the western hills, contains some gold. In one area, a large part of a hill had been dug up, crushed, washed, and processed like regular ore. The results were profitable, showing that even ordinary soil could yield small amounts of gold when carefully worked.
The mining techniques in Ghremnitz demonstrate skill, patience, and ingenuity. Miners carefully follow ore veins, wash large amounts of soil in rivers, and occasionally find valuable pure gold. The combination of natural resources and human effort has made Ghremnitz one of the richest and most remarkable mining towns in Hungary.
