Mine d'argent du Fournel
The seams and mining works are located to the west of the town in the Fournel valley, at an altitude of 1,050 to 1,700 m. Yhe mineral mined was argentiferous galena with a silver content of 2 à 3‰ mixed with quartz and barite. Mineralisation renged from a depth of a few centimetres to 8 metres.
In the middle Ages, mining was limited to outcrops on the surface. The hardness of the rock meant a fire setting had to be used to extract the ore. In the 19th century almost all the deposit was found as result of several kilometres of exploration tunnels being dug and a processing factory being built at the bottom of the gorge.
Since 1992, this old mine has been a centre for historical and archeological study and the mining work is explored, topographed and well characterised (7 km). Knowledge of this site has been brought to the public through an exhibition at the Mining Museum. More than a kilometre of underground structures have been turned into a tourist mine open to the public.
Open from Avril to November for groups; from 1st June to 30th Septembre, open daily; visits start at 9 am and 11 am and 2 pm and 5 pm;
Booking recommended.
Booking: 04 92 23 02 94
Information: www.minesdargent.sitew.com
Mail: minesdargent@ville-argentiere.fr
