SVORNOST MINE IN JÁCHYMOV
Introduction
The most important mine of the Jáchymov district, and one of the most significant mines in the Czech Republic, is undoubtedly the Svornost Mine. It ranks among the longest continuously operating mines in Europe and among the earliest sites of systematic uranium mining in the world. Today it is unique in that it is operated for spa purposes, with its underground workings primarily used for collecting radon-rich water.
The shaft collar lies at an elevation of 725.5 metres above sea level, while the mine reaches depths of around 500 metres. The shaft itself is about 514 metres deep, and the deepest borehole extends another 334.6 metres, meaning the lowest levels lie below sea level.
The mine has twelve levels including the Day level, Barbora, Daniel, First and Second Nepomuk levels, the Adit level, and the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th and 12th levels. The total length of underground workings exceeds 160 kilometres. The shaft has a rectangular profile of about 20 m² with one ladder compartment and two cage compartments. The lower levels Barbora, Daniel and the 12th are used for capturing water sources, while the others are inaccessible.
Together with Rovnost, Svornost functions as an upcast shaft, while the Josef shaft serves as a downcast shaft. Fresh air enters through Josef and leaves through Svornost and Rovnost, ensuring natural ventilation.
Maximum depths were reached as early as around 1860, when silver mining gradually shifted toward uranium ores used for uranium pigments.
History
The mine was founded in 1518 at the intersection of the Stella and St Andrew silver veins by the Rhineland entrepreneur Georg Schweitzer, who named it Kliment. The Stella vein, later known as Geschieber, was among the richest in the region.
After disputes over mining rights, the companies united in 1525 and renamed the mine Einigkeit, meaning Unity or Svornost.
Following economic fluctuations, the state took over in 1658 and redirected production to arsenic and cobalt ores. Around 1700, new silver deposits were found and mining expanded again.
In 1801 the town of Jáchymov became the owner, but flooding repeatedly affected operations. In 1850 the state took control again.
Uranium mining began in 1853. The once-feared mineral pitchblende became valuable, and by 1900 more than 300 tonnes of uranium had been extracted here.
The mine’s survival was boosted by the discoveries of Marie and Pierre Curie, which made radium highly sought after. In 1906 the world’s first radon spa facilities were established in Jáchymov, and Svornost was modernised. Marie Curie herself visited the mine in 1925.
During the Nazi period uranium was mined for Germany, and after the war for the Soviet Union. A labour camp was established here in 1949. Uranium mining ended in 1964, and the mine was transferred to spa use.
Adits and water system
The Daniel hereditary adit links Svornost with Rovnost and continues to the spa area. The Barbora adit was among the largest mining works in Europe in its time.
The Curie adit, driven from 1961 from the 12th level, replaced the Daniel adit for water transport and carries radon water to the spa. Its length is about 2.39 km.
In 1979 construction began on the new drainage adit Nová Svornost, completed in 1983, which still drains the lower parts of the mine.
Springs
Four principal springs are used for treatment – Curie (1924), C1 (1960), Běhounek (1962, the most productive), and Agricola (2000).
Spa era
The spa era began on 1 April 1964 when the mine was transferred to the Jáchymov Spa. Between 1992 and 1996 the shaft and headframe were completely reconstructed. In 2002 new springs were discovered, including Agricola. The water is on average about 13,000 years old, with some samples reaching up to around 37,000 years.
Flood threat in 1981
On 13 March 1981 the dam of the town pond burst at night, flooding parts of the town and the underground workings. Miners worked continuously to secure the springs and prevent contamination, successfully averting a major disaster.
Geology and conclusion
Geological research confirmed the exceptional diversity of the area, with numerous ore types and more than 400 minerals identified. Several uranium minerals were first described here, making Svornost one of the world’s most significant mineralogical localities.
Photo gallery above ground: https://mipalfi.rajce.idnes.cz/Jachymov,_Dul_Svornost
Underground gallery: https://mipalfi.rajce.idnes.cz/Jachymov,_Dul_Svornost_-_podzemi
