Around 1560, Melchior Wiedergrün von Staufenberg started with the smelting of iron ore. It is assumed that he re-opened former ore mines or developed known ore deposits further. In 1770, the Bergwerkshaus [mining house] was built to manage the mine in the adjacent Hardtwald forest.

There were also pits near the house. Residents still use the old pits as water reservoirs. The ‘primary pits’ were near the St. Anton chapel. The mine employed up to 90 miners during its heydays.