Shaft 371, Mine shaft in Hartenstein, Germany.
Shaft 371 is a former uranium mine near Hartenstein that accessed the Niederschlema-Alberoda deposit system deep underground. The site features the preserved headframe, operational buildings, and display areas that document the technical processes and working methods used during extraction.
The mine began operations in 1956 as part of the Wismut company and extracted uranium until 1991. It was one of several Soviet-German uranium mining projects that supplied materials during the Cold War.
The mine shaft was the center of work life for generations of miners in this region. It shaped how the local community lived and organized itself around the demands of underground labor.
The shaft is located at an accessible site with informational displays and exhibits on the grounds. Visitors can view the outdoor facilities and learn about the mining operations through posted information.
The shaft was part of a cross-border mining system that connected both German states during the Cold War. This shared operation reveals how deeply uranium production was tied to the political division of the time.
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