When I was still working at school in Bielefeld, I tried to familiarize pupils with some chemical elements which are found in our region. Besides the simple lime (CaCO3) of the Teutoburg Forest, near Beckum a strontium containing mineral was found (Strontianit, SrCO3). The stuff was once used for sugar refinement. I bought some chunks of it from a geologist in Detmold.
In that year, I learned something about the region. The last working iron ore mine of Germany is in Porta Westfalica although the ore is mainly used for sport fields etc., steel being cheaperly produced abroad. And in Sauerland I visited an ancient zinc mine. The guide said that there is still zinc ore, but here, too, it`s cheaper to make produce abroad.
Personally, I find it crazy how our industrialised countries spoil (in wars for example) all those raw materials. Or oil products: everything is shrinkwrapped in foil today.
Dead sea bromine actually occupies a prominent place on the world bromine market, it seems. |
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