Commodities

Viennese cobblestones - a part laid in sheets. The vacancy is gravel and paving stones heap.
Viennese cobblestones from the Bohemian Massif
© Geological Survey of Austria / Andreas Ortag

Raw Materials

Raw materials for building include a number of hard and soft rocks possessing physical and technical properties which make them suitable for underground constructions, high-rise buildings or for transport infrastructure.

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Steirischer Erzberg, comprising the steps, which are caused by the iron ore mines. Ore from above.
Erzberg: largest iron ore mines in Central Europe
© Abenteuer Erzberg

Mining Sites

A multitude of economically insignificant ore deposits exists in Austria.

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Stack of pure white paper
High brightness values ​​are in demand in the paper industry.
© Geological Survey of Austria / Andreas Ortag

High-Grade Limestones

High-grade limestones are sedimentary or metamorphosed rocks (marbles) which consist mainly of calcite (rarely aragonite) and contain at least 75 % calcium carbonate.

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A child sits in the sandbox and build sand cake with bucket and sand molds.
Wide range of applications of sand in the construction industry
© Franz Stürmer

Soft Rocks

Soft rock deposits containing raw materials such as gravel, sand or clay represent important resources for the building industry.

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Detail of a motorcycle from the front - light and part of the engine block
Different metals shape our daily lives.
© Geological Survey of Austria / Andreas Ortag

The Metallogenetic Map 1:500,000

Metallogenetic maps emphasize connections between geology, tectonics and mineral deposits.

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A large square with attached pour requested mound in the background goes a yellow loader. Everywhere there are several pallets. Bricks are stacked on it. Some have a red and white packaging.
Laa an der Thaya (LA): reduction of 17 million year old marl
© Geological Survey of Austria

Clay

Large occurrences of clay in Austria can be found in the Molasse Zone north of the Alps as well as in the Vienna basin and other intermontane basins.

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Artificially raised mound of stones with little lower greening it.
Jauken (Carinthia): heaps of the former lead and zinc mining
© Geological Survey of Austria

Inventory of Mines / Waste Sites

Due to its specific geological and metallogenetic position within the Eastern Alps, Austria has a large number of mostly small ore mines.

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A small electric locomotives with Wagon without windows. Children look out of the open doors. They wear yellow jackets and helmets.
The "Katl" is the former Mannschaftszug of the Erzberg. © Abenteuer Erzberg

Museum Mines / Therapeutic Tunnels

Former mines which are now made accessible to tourists are evidence of the old mining traditions in Austria.

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