As a result of geomorphological processes, calcite crystallized in the fissures of the mass limestone. Traces of limestone and calcite mining can be found all over the Brilon plateau. Limestone was used in the Middle Ages to build houses, barns, roads and town fortifications. Crushed limestone was scattered on the fields to fertilize them
. The mining of calcite began in the mid-19th century. Calcite is pure calcium carbonate and is used in the paint and chemical industries. Initially, mining only took place above ground, later mainly underground. On the Brilon plateau, 90% of the calcite mined in Germany (old federal states) was extracted. For economic reasons, lime spar mining was abandoned in the 1980s. Today, only limestone and diabase are mined on the Brilon plateau. This large-scale extraction has caused entire mountains to disappear and with them the cultural landscape that has developed over thousands of years.
The traces of historical limestone extraction on the Drübel are still visible in the forest today. However, a keen eye is required to discover the small quarries in the forest, which are already overgrown. Deep tunnels were driven into the mountain at Drübel to extract the calcite. To bring the calcite to the surface, simple tripods with winches were initially erected, followed later by winding towers. In the 1960s, some of the tunnels at Drübel collapsed and tore deep holes in the mountain, but these were filled in again. Watch out for collapsed ground areas as you continue along the path!