Jáchymov ore district, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republici

Regional Level Types
Jáchymov ore district	Mining District
Karlovy Vary Region	Region
Czech Republic	Country

A classic, rich vein-type Ag-Co-Ni-Bi-U deposit. Jáchymov is one of the most extensive and best-known examples of a class of ore deposits known generally as the five-element type. The name derives from the dominance of Ag-Co-Ni-As-Bi, but is somewhat deceptive because it implies simplicity. Actually, many ore deposits in this class are considerably more complex, beginning with the presence, in a few, of major amounts of uranium oxide. The Jáchymov district, along with the Eldorado mine at Port Radium, Canada, are the two best examples of the uranium-rich variant of the five-element ore deposit type.

No five-element ore district has received adequate scientific investigation. Jáchymov has received more extensive study than most (Ondrus et al., 2003). A broader overview of five-element ore deposits is given by Kissin (1992).

Jáchymov was founded by count Štěpán Šlik in 1516 in the place of the former settlement Konradsgrün. The first known prospecting was done in 1510, the first-mentioned mine was started in 1512 (mine of three wise men — Tří králů) - its opening still visible behind the house No. 496. The first find of silver was done after striking the Fundgrubner vein.

Abundant silver deposits led to fast expansion of the mining industry and the whole town of Jáchymov ("silver rush") — after four years in 1520 – 4,963 inhabitants, in 1533 - 18,000 inhabitants — became the second most populated town in Bohemia after Prague (compared to current 3,333 residents in 2010). In 1524 there were 613 mines and shafts operating. The mined silver was minted into famous coins named after the town (Joachimsthal) as "Thaler" ("Talero", "Tolar"), later giving its name to the word "dollar". Between 1527 and 1531 Georgius Agricola worked in Jáchymov as a town physician. In the time of greatest prosperity of silver mines (1516-1600) approximately 350 tons of Ag were mined.

Seven ore stages were distinguished within the Jáchymov ore field: Sn-W sulfoarsenide, ore-free quartz, carbonate–uraninite, arsenide, arsenic-sulfide, sulfide and post-ore stage. Economically, the most important were the carbonate–uraninite stage for uranium ores and the arsenic-sulfide stage for silver ores.

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