Mineral and metals are crucial for what we call civilization. Modern technology such as smartphones, solar cells, electric cars and aircraft, need many different materials and elements to function. Through history the number of elements used by humans in various objects has increased drastically, from only a few to almost all in the periodic table.

Sala mine was for a long time a source for the metals lead, silver and zinc. Production continued from at least the late 15th century, with some interruptions until the 1960s. A common question we get; is there silver left in the bedrock? The simple the answer is yes. There is more lead, silver and zinc mineralization down there. The only question is whether it is worth mining these minerals, can it be classified as ore? Ore is an economic term:
Only bedrock that contain valuable elements in sufficient amount and concentration and in suitable form for extraction to be economically profitable can be called ore.

At the Sala mine, these requirements were met until the beginning of the 1960s.

You could say that Sala as a mining town has been dormant since then. But the Swedish mining industry is not resting. It lives strongly and is today a central part of the EU’s total ore and metal production. The demand for minerals and metals is increasing and can’t be met by extensive recycling only.

EXPLORATION – THE SEARCH FOR NEW DISCOVERIES
The search for ore is called exploration or prospecting. In older times the crown/state urged the population in the mine’s surroundings to search for new deposits and special ore prospectors were recruited.

Around the municipality of Sala, exploration is currently being carried out by several companies. Some with the hope of finding more lead, silver and zinc, some are looking for other metals. All have in common that they see a great geological potential in the area.

Exploration is a costly and time-consuming process. Despite this there is a possibility that at some point in the future Sala can be involved and contribute with new metals to society’s development.

SALA SILVER MINE – ONE OF SWEDEN’S MOST IMPORTANT PRE-INDUSTRIAL MINES
Mining was central to the technological and scientific development during the premodern era. Sala mine was one of the most important pre-industrial mines in Sweden. Blood, sweat, brainpower and tears built this magnificent cultural environment. A whole series of technology-historical leaps have been made here. Some examples:

• In the 16th century, the first water-powered ore crush in the country was built and German experts introduced advanced mining pumps.
• Between 1628 and 1651 the mine was managed by one of the most tone-setting pioneers in Swedish mining, Georg Grissbach. Under his leadership new efficient methods of mining, mapping, safer operation and water supply for the plant’s machines was introduced. They also experimented with powder blasting underground, a method which however, only gained traction in the 18th century.
• At the end of the 18th century, the lead in the ore began to be used through the introduction of so-called pile furnaces. Sala mine now became a lead producer as well.
• Between 1817 and 1855 the mine was led by yet another brilliant boss, Bergshauptman Jacob Henrik af Forsells. He convinced the main owner, the state, to invest heavily to improve the silver extraction process and the latest technological innovations were adopted fully in all parts of the process.
• In the late 19th century, two engineering brothers, August and Wilhelm Heberle, took over the business. They carried out pioneering mineral chemistry experiments with waste from the old extraction plant and converted the old state-owned company into a modern joint-stock company. During their time the zinc mineralization which had been left by earlier generations began to be mined and processed.
• During the 20th century, heavy Swedish business interests continued to invest in the mine and the smelter. The last industrial company that operated here was Nordstjernan, i.e. the Johnson Group. The family Ax:son Johnson sold the mine to Sala Municipality year 1988. Since then Sala silver mine has been a museum and tourist destination.
• The mining industry’s offshoots are many. Here in Sala there is Sala Bly AB which manufactures sheets, pipes and castings details of lead and Metso who manufacture machines for beneficiation of ore. Both companies are directly related to the history of the Sala silver mine. Sala Bly AB even houses in the old beneficiation plant built by August Heberle. In addition, dolomite is still mined right next door. To say that the mining industry in Sala is dead is, in other words, not true.

THE ACCESS TO METALS – A DETERMINING FACTOR FOR THE GREEN TRANSITION
We live in a troubled times in many ways. We live in history and what characterizes the concept of history is change. Change over time. A challenge of our time is how to ensure the availability of metals, especially if we are to succeed implementing the green transition. Europe consumes about one quarter of all raw materials produced worldwide but produces only three percent. We all need to ask ourselves the question about what is reasonable in this complicated cycle.

In this exhibition you will learn more about the all-important mining industry then and now. In focus are the three metals that have been mined here in Sala: Pb (lead), Ag (silver) and Zn (zinc). Upstairs there are a couple more rooms where you can take part in the history of the Sala silver mine from different perspectives.