Mission Statement
The Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf — a visitor mine featuring a mineralogical museum — is a service-oriented institution dedicated to the public and to industrial heritage. It utilizes and preserves a significant monument of the Saxon mining industry. Consequently, the Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf situates itself within the existing cultural landscape and the UNESCO World Heritage site "Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region"; it defines its mission and evaluates its achievements in order to meet the tasks and expectations set by its governing bodies and the public.
The Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf fulfills a socially important function. It serves as a bridge, enabling an understanding of the culture and history of past eras from a contemporary perspective. The institution’s diverse tasks include collecting and preserving material artifacts, conducting research and documentation, and communicating the resulting insights through exhibitions and publications. The Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf is an integral part of the Zweckverband Sächsisches Industriemuseum (Saxon Industrial Museum Association). Its mandate is to present to visitors the history of vein-based tin and silver mining in the Ore Mountains, local geology, and the technologies of ore processing and smelting spanning several centuries. In doing so, the aim is not only to convey the technological evolution of 20th-century mining but also to showcase the working and living environments of the miners. A strong commitment to serving visitors and guests is central to the institution's identity as a museum.
The visitor mine is the flagship feature of the Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf. Its concept centers on human labor in mining across various historical eras, with the museum exhibition focusing primarily on the underground facilities. Currently, 38 display sites illustrate the evolution of mining in the Ore Mountains from the 14th to the 20th century, showcasing — with virtually no gaps — all key technologies used between 1855 and 1990. The experience is rounded out by a mineralogical museum and special exhibitions; the mineralogical museum houses a collection of 2,200 mineral specimens, half of which are on public display. Additional features, such as a gemstone cutting workshop that serves as a demonstration site, meaningfully expand the mining theme with new perspectives. Leveraging its available facilities, the Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf also provides a venue for special social occasions and cultural events.
Its own collection represents its greatest treasure. It comprises objects spanning the history of technology, society, the economy, and art, as well as mineralogy and geology. The collection is being systematically cataloged and documented with increasing effectiveness, and made accessible for research purposes. The Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf preserves the cultural assets entrusted to it through proper handling and measures for conservation and restoration. In this effort, the site receives support from volunteers and staff from the Zweckverband Sächsisches Industriemuseum (Saxon Industrial Museum Association). Many machines are maintained in working order and demonstrated whenever conservation standards allow, thereby passing on the associated knowledge to visitors. A small specialist library supports the scholarly work conducted with the collection.
The Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf is a valuable cultural monument and a museum deeply rooted in the region, yet its influence extends far beyond the local area. It attracts visitors not only from Saxony but also from across the country. The site offers a wide range of educational and experiential opportunities for families, students, and anyone interested in geology and mineralogy. Through its programs, it fosters dialogue regarding past, present, and future issues and challenges. For visitors from Saxony, the mine instills an appreciation for the life's work of their ancestors while also honoring achievements from the more recent past, thereby helping to forge a sense of regional identity.
A key priority for the Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf is ensuring that every guided tour includes demonstrations of functional exhibits and interactive activities. The tours and programs are designed to be hands-on and interactive, inviting not only adults but — above all — children and young people to engage openly with technology and the natural sciences. Its greatest strength lies in the authentic presentation of this subject matter. The extensive range of tours — covering the visitor mine, the Mineralogical Museum, and the gemstone cutting workshop — aims to provide visitors with a diverse and engaging experience. To achieve these goals, the Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf collaborates closely with other museums and scientific institutions, as well as with various regional partners from the business, political, and social sectors.
The Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf is exceptionally visitor-friendly and family-oriented, holding the "Servicequalität Deutschland" (Service Quality Germany) certification. It views its visitors as guests, and staff members interact with both guests and partners in a friendly and open manner. The Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf serves as a place for interaction and communication, appealing to people with diverse interests and backgrounds. Feedback and suggestions are taken seriously.
The staff at the Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf bring a wealth of experience and specialized knowledge to their work. Their collaboration is characterized by collegiality, fair treatment, competence, and dedication. Conflicts are resolved with respect, appreciation, and tolerance, and every employee is committed to upholding these values and goals. All staff members contribute to enhancing service quality by staying well-informed and working in a flexible, goal-oriented manner. This also entails a willingness to embrace new developments and pursue further training.
To ensure continued success in welcoming visitors, the Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf is pursuing key goals for the institution's further development. The underground visitor route was painstakingly restored to its authentic state for visitors by former miners from the original tin mine. Due to rising maintenance costs, there are no plans to further expand the underground route. However, in 2019, plans were initiated — in collaboration with the town of Ehrenfriedersdorf — to expand the museum above ground. This expansion involves redesigning the surface buildings, including a modern structure over the atrium, a new entrance area, and a structural and spatial reconfiguration. This will create more space for exhibitions and allow for a sophisticated visitor circuit. Furthermore, the museum and exhibition concept is to be revised and expanded, taking into account the structural conditions and the spatial layout.
The aim is to strengthen the visitor mine and the Mineralogical Museum as centers for preservation and education. Work on cataloging and researching the collection’s objects will continue and expand, while existing artifacts and historical records will be preserved.
Research activities will also be continuously expanded, particularly regarding the further documentation of underground physical evidence (industrial archaeology). At the same time, the knowledge and experience of former miners are being systematically preserved through interviews with contemporary witnesses. Finally, the ongoing development and enhancement of visitor tours — featuring new offerings — will improve the communication of mining technologies used throughout history. Newly acquired research insights will be shared through increased publication activity. Progress toward these goals will be regularly reviewed in the coming years.