Intensive ironmaking in Carniola and Carinthia was enabled by rich iron ore deposits, implementation of technological innovations and general social and economic progress. It began on various locations already in the 14th century and continued in the 15th and 16th centuries. Owners of the ironmaking plants were predominantly master ironworkers, a lot of plants were owned by the burghers while the nobility was less involved in the ironmaking. Ironmaking communities developed in the major ironmaking centres, with mining magistrates as chief representatives of the ironmaking masters. They were the highest ranking group in the social class composed of miners and ironworkers. This class was internally heterogeneous and included also many subjects, who were employed in ancillary sectors, such as logging, charcoal production and transport. Through these activities they were able to ensure their subsistence, some of them also achieved social and economic progress. Significant social and geographical mobility was also typical for the members of this class. Affiliation with the ironworking community was defined by specific working conditions, settlement in this area and subjugation to the mining magistrate. Rights, privileges and duties of these communities, working and legal conditions in these areas and jurisdiction of mining magistrates were often determined by mining regulations, which were issued by landlords or territorial princes. Intensive ironmaking had a notable role in the economy of the researched area. This influence was most tangible in the vicinity of the ironmaking centres, in the employability of the lower agrarian class, while ironmaking also exerted a varied influence on the seigniories’ funds. It was very important for many urban settlements in the wider surrounding of the centres, due to the profitable distribution of the ironmaking products. The majority of the iron products was exported, predominantly in the Italian lands. Extent of the iron production depended on the technical abilities of the ironmaking plants, weather and general economic conditions.