Growth of mines and metallurgy in medieval Europe

The growth of mines and metallurgy in medieval Europe was an important economic development that contributed to the expansion of trade and the rise of urban centers. Technological advances in mining, such as the use of water-powered bellows and the development of the stamp mill, allowed for the more efficient extraction of minerals and metals. This led to an increase in the production of precious metals, such as gold and silver, which were used to finance the growth of cities and the emergence of modern banking. The growth of metallurgy also led to the development of new technologies and industries, such as ironworking, and contributed to the growth of military power. However, the expansion of mining and metallurgy had negative social and environmental consequences, including the exploitation of workers and the degradation of natural resources.