ADAM MINE (OCHSENBUSCH)
Introduction
Near Mariánská, close to the settlement of Werlsgrün (today Zálesí), stood the isolated homestead Ochsenbusch. After the foundation of Jáchymov in the early 16th century, a mine was opened here bearing the same name. It is also possible that the homestead itself was named after the mining work on the St Wenceslas vein. Administratively, the site belonged to Werlsgrün together with Hřebečná, Vršek and Rovnost (German: Hengstererben, Werlsberg, Wernerschacht).
History
The locality formed part of the wider Jáchymov ore district, first famous for silver mining. After the Second World War the site gained new importance. In 1947 a geological survey carried out here, together with the nearby Eva Apfelbaum Mine, confirmed the presence of uranium ores. As a result, the old mines were reopened under the names Eva and Adam. The Adam Mine was fully commissioned in 1951 as Shaft No. 11, with prisoners from the Mariánská and Eliáš camps forced to work on its construction and operation within the system of Jáchymov labour camps.
Description
The complex represented a typical early-1950s uranium mining site, including a shaft, technical buildings and operational facilities within a secured industrial area. Connected to neighbouring mines, Adam functioned mainly as part of the broader mining infrastructure in the Mariánská–Rovnost area.
Reuse
After uranium extraction ended, the site was converted for civilian industrial use and taken over by the Nejdek spinning mills. After 1989 the property changed owners several times, gradually deteriorated and was stripped of materials. Eventually the remaining structures were completely demolished, and today only terrain traces remain.
Photo gallery available here: https://mipalfi.rajce.idnes.cz/Jachymov%2C_Dul_Adam/
