Netherlands

The mining history of the Netherlands is not as extensive as some other countries, as the country does not possess significant natural resources such as coal or oil. However, the Netherlands has a rich history of salt mining, dating back to the Roman era. In the Middle Ages, salt was one of the most valuable commodities, and the Dutch cities of Delft, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam were major producers and trade centers for salt. The Dutch were known for their advanced techniques in evaporating sea water to extract the salt, and they even established a salt monopoly in the 17th century.

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Another notable chapter in the mining history of the Netherlands is the extraction of peat, a fuel source made from decomposed organic matter. Peat mining was widespread in the Netherlands during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly in the province of Drenthe, where the peat bogs were rich in quality. Peat was used for heating and as a fuel source for machines, and it also played an important role in the construction of homes and buildings. However, overexploitation of the peat bogs caused extensive damage to the environment and led to flooding in some areas. Today, peat mining has largely been replaced by other types of energy production in the Netherlands.