The pits Katharina I and Katharina II are among the oldest copper mines in the Imsbacher district. Although the beginning of copper ore mining in Imsbach has not yet been clarified and may possibly date back to Roman times, the Katharinengruben was already in operation in the 14th century. This can be proven by dated ceramic finds.
Besides copper ore, cobalt and occasionally silver were also mined here.
The names of the pits may have come from St. Catherine, who was worshiped as the patron saint.
The main conveyor tunnels of both mines until 1905 was the Katharina Erbstollen, probably already used in the 16th century. The pits communicate with each other through an approximately 80 meter long crosscut just from this burial tunnel to the Catherine II pit.
The today's picture of the pits originated around 1900, when one dismantled the ore in the open pit. In the impressive open-pit walls are still some of the older tunnels to recognize.
The minerals known from there were found in the opencast mines. Höffige places are but here also long ago completely dismantled by collectors. Halden no longer exist, they have fallen victim to the Laugerei and military airfield construction in Sembach.