On September 28, 2024, experts from the Slovak Mining Museum visited the premises of the former Kovolesk company in Dolné Hámry (Hodruša-Hámre village). Kovolesk was established in 1994 and continued the production program of the previous operation of the District Industrial Enterprise (OPP) in Banská Štiavnica. OPP had several operations, including the production of jewelry items in Dolné Hámry, which had been operating since 1962 (after being transferred from the Sandrik company) and was known for the production of silver-plated items, artistic metal products for interiors and other haberdashery.
A great help in our initiative was Mr. Ján Bogdán, who enabled a tour of the premises of the former company and provided several items for the museum collection. Even more important, however, is his information on specific production procedures and work aids, which will contribute to an authentic display of the history of this operation.
The museum continues to actively document the industrial history of Banská Štiavnica, similar to the story of the PLETA brand project. He plans to collect memories of former employees and documents related to the history of the District Industrial Enterprise and the Kovolesk company. The intention of the Slovak Mining Museum (SBM) is to document the history of this production operation and collect a collection of its products. SBM plans to digitize archival materials and present the research in the form of studies or brochures.
The museum's experts will appreciate any help from the public, either in the form of contacts with former employees, items related to the history of companies, or memories of working life and non-working life related to them.
🖊 Text: Daniel Harvan
📷 Photo: Lubomír Lužina
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