Sterling Hill was a zinc mine, and the last operating underground mine in the State of New Jersey. It closed in 1986 after more than 138 years of almost continuous production, during which it yielded more than 11 million tons of zinc ore.
The zinc mines in Allmannajuvet in Sauda, Ryfylke were in operation from 1881 to 1899. The mining operations brought life to the village with as many as 168 employees and the export of ore on ships heading abroad.
In 2002, the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor was commissioned as part of Norway’s Tourist Route initiative to create a small museum and cafe at Almannajuvet, in the hope of attracting more tourists to the isolated region.
The new service and information facilities are being constructed here in the framework of the National Tourist Route Ryfylke. The buildings are designed by well-known Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. The project is planned to be completed in 2016.