FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[James Jones]

Hi there, really new to collecting mineral samples and am eager to get started!

Although my main worry at the moment are the laws in Germany regarding collection of minerals in public places. I understand that its definitely not permitted in GeoTops (Places of special geological interest) and fully understand why.

My question is can I just wander the mountains, find a mineral, chip it out and keep it for my own? Also what's the best way of approaching mines, landowners etc should you call/email ahead or can you just turn up and ask?

And if anybody has any good starting points in the NRW (North Rhine Westphalia) Region then that would be great.

Apologies for the disambiguated questions, and I really look forward to reading the replies, if any!

James

(Changed the topic subject to highlight the fact its a question, not an answer)

[chris]

Hi James,

Can't help you with Germany, but in France even picking a loose rock inside a National Park or a natural reserve is forbidden. My guess would be it is the same in Germany. But this is just a guess.

Christophe

[Jordi Fabre]

A lot of info here: Your assistance is needed to help Spain draft reasonable collecting laws

[James Jones]

Thanks for the link Jordi, I will have a look now.

I am also considering contacting the regional geological office, if I find out anything I will let you all know in that thread you gave.

Just don't want to fall short of any law in Germany as there are many!

[Mike Wood]

"My question is can I just wander the mountains, find a mineral, chip it out and keep it for my own?"

If you can do it without being seen or heard and you don't tell anyone! I suppose you probably could - just don't draw attention to yourself.
Mind you, I would have thought you would be fully acquainted with er, covert operations..

Mike ;-)

[alfredo]

German collectors often wander through farmers' plowed fields in the autumn and pick up stones, like agate nodules. In Texas you'd probably get shot at doing that, but it's legal in Germany as long as you're not trampling any crops.

[James Jones]

Mike, it was my intent to attempt this anyway. just wanted to know if it was strictly neccesary :P Also, I fully understand there are some places that it would not be allowed such as Externsteine and other monuments.
I am going for a "walk" this Tuesday and will post any findings :D

Alfredo, I never considered that as I never thought that farmers would plow that deep to hit any rock, but having driven around here last night I found many fields with say 70-80% rock coverage having been plowed and cultivated, will definitely have a look in autumn after harvest and will let you know if it bears any fruit.
Thanks to you both :D

I am also looking to go to Bleiwäsche mine soon. Hopefully it's still open to collectors and not made a monument as i'm sure it has been closed as a commercial mine.

Bleiwäsche Mine, Bleiwäsche, Bad Wünnenburg, NRW, Germany
Coordinates: 51.467373, 8.696747

Mineralienatlas de :
https://www.mineralienatlas.de/?l=462
(Link normalized by FMF)