The complex interaction of mining, smelting, infrastructure and social structures from the 18th century onwards illustrates the Freiberg northern district. This is where the world's first smelting plant is located in which the amalgamation process was used on a large scale to extract silver. The workers' houses and the slag bath testify to the social structures. The silver ores processed in the smelter were transported via a shipping canal (ore canal) primarily from the mines to the north.