Tellure Park mining site, located in the Vosges massif, prospered after the discovery of silver veins in the 16th century. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, silver was the sinews of war as it allowed the minting of money. The lords of Ribeaupierre and the dukes of Lorraine shared the Val d'Argent mining region, separated by the Lièpvre river. A treaty was signed between them to determine the sharing of mining revenues. It was agreed that 2/3 would go to the Duke of Lorraine and 1/3 to the lord of Ribeaupierre. Numerous conflicts and controversies over the terms of the deal impacted their relations over time.