Publications
Leaching of Mine Tailings Flotation Fractions Using Inorganic and Organic Acids for Metals Extraction
A novel approach to metal recovery from mine tailings demonstrates that citric acid can efficiently extract lead (Pb) with up to 86% efficiency, outperforming inorganic acids like sulfuric acid. This study, focusing on the Bollrich tailings pond at Rammelsberg's historic mining site, also shows that while sulfuric acid is effective for copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), sequential leaching processes are necessary to maximize metal recovery due to inhibitory effects of sulfate compounds. The research highlights citric acid as a promising lixiviant for Pb across different tailing types, with potential co-extraction benefits for Cu and Zn, offering a sustainable solution for managing legacy mine waste and mitigating environmental contamination.
Modern Water Management and the Challenges of Climate Change at the World Heritage Property Upper Harz Water Management System
Climate change and financial constraints are increasingly threatening the operational integrity of the UNESCO-listed Upper Harz Water Management System, a centuries-old multifunctional water management marvel. Despite continuous monitoring since its 2010 designation, rising pressures from hydraulic engineering challenges and environmental shifts risk undermining its ability to sustain public services and contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study underscores the critical need for adaptive management strategies that balance historic preservation with modern functionality, ensuring the system's resilience while maintaining its role as a cornerstone of regional water governance. Research highlights the dual dependency between World Heritage conservation and effective water management, advocating for integrated approaches to safeguard both heritage assets and essential public infrastructure.
Rammelsberg 1376 und andere
The mining disaster at Rammelsberg in Goslar, Germany, in 1376, long dismissed as improbable, is reinterpreted as a 'super catastrophe'—a symbolic condensation of historical events and societal experiences. This study deciphers the disaster not merely as a historical incident but as a cultural narrative device that reflects collective trauma and processes of impoverishment. Unlike traditional legends, which anchor catastrophes in temporal indices, this work identifies a distinct form of storytelling—'punctualisation'—where disasters are processed through discrete, symbolic events. The analysis challenges conventional historical interpretations by framing the disaster as a cipher for broader societal resilience mechanisms.
Integrating Energy and Water Management in a Low Mountain Region: A Project for Coupled Ecosystem Services
A novel approach to integrating energy and water management in low mountain regions demonstrates how infrastructure projects can provide coupled ecosystem services, addressing critical challenges such as flood protection, low-water mitigation, and drinking water production. The study, conducted in the Upper Harz Mountains of Northern Germany, highlights the potential of repurposing existing dams and underground mining infrastructure for pumped storage to stabilize energy grids or produce green hydrogen. Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), researchers evaluate multiple project alternatives based on geological constraints, construction costs, resource consumption, and ecological impacts, offering a transparent, participatory framework for decision-making that transcends traditional market-based metrics. This method allows stakeholders to assess how alternative weightings influence outcomes, facilitating effective communication in citizen participation processes.
Hoisting
A pivotal advancement in mining technology occurred at the Rammelsberg mine with the introduction of hoisting chains in 1565, replacing hemp rope for more efficient and durable ore transportation. This innovation marked a significant leap forward in deep-mine operations, setting the stage for further developments in steam hoisting during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Subsequent improvements in rope manufacture, engine design, and drum shapes enhanced the functionality of steam winders, enabling more effective and automated ore extraction processes. The study highlights the evolution of hoisting mechanisms as a critical factor in the efficiency and scalability of mining operations, particularly in historic sites like Rammelsberg.
Bioleaching of cobalt from Cu/Co-rich sulfidic mine tailings from the polymetallic Rammelsberg mine, Germany
Researchers achieved high efficiency in bioleaching cobalt and copper from sulfidic mine tailings at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rammelsberg, Germany, using a microbial consortium. The study found that mesophilic bacteria, primarily Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and A. thiooxidans, extracted 91% cobalt and 57% copper from bulk tailings after 13 days in stirred tank reactors (STRs). Mineralogical analysis revealed cobalt was predominantly leached from the surface of framboidal pyrite due to microbial activity. The study also demonstrated that sulfide content in the tailings sustained microbial growth, eliminating the need for additional substrates. This bioleaching method is proposed as a key step for reprocessing mine tailings at Rammelsberg and similar sites globally.
Winterströme: Goethes erste Harzreise , and: Im Labyrinth der Täler: Goethes zweite Harzreise , and: Die Würde der Steine: Goethes dritte Harzreise (review)
This review examines Bernd Wolff's three novels, which intricately weave Goethe's Harz journeys into the broader context of his literary and scientific development during his first decade in Weimar. The novels, rooted in detailed historical and geological accounts of the Harz region, including its mining heritage such as the Rammelsberg mines, reveal how these expeditions influenced Goethe's evolving worldview, from his early works like Harzreise im Winter to his later scientific and philosophical pursuits, including osteological studies and Spinozist thought. Wolff's extensive knowledge of Goethe's oeuvre, the Weimar milieu, and the Harz's human and geological history—despite not being a professional Germanist—enhances the narratives with authenticity, blending courtly intrigue, natural wonders like the Teufelskanzel, and the region's mining legends. The review highlights how these journeys served as both a framework for Goethe's literary conceptions and a catalyst for his growing interest in natural sciences.
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