Given the chronic under-supply of the West German post-war economy with the so-called small coal mining came with small and micro-mines to a particular role. Especially for the domestic fuel supply and energy demand for the coverage of small industrial and commercial enterprises that were created after 1945 many small mines, mines and mining operations of extraordinary importance. The development of small mines can be divided into two phases: In the period 1945-1948 was the coal mining for charitable purposes in the foreground, from 1949 to about 1958, the gold mining economic importance to the coverage of emerging, mostly montane foreign small and medium industry.
In contrast to the "savage cuts" by individuals who are supposedly under the coals disassembling of self-sufficiency and sometimes sold at high prices, made-ups of small mines immediately after the war at first reluctant. But already for the second half of 1948 can be detected 30 new towns. They were developed by the military authorities not only tolerated, but warmly welcomed. The Allies also demanded the control of production by the local business offices, which had to provide for the distribution of coal. This condition in 1947 is from the German Coal Mining Administration (DKBL), which has since issued the mining permits.