Fosse n° 1 - 1 bis des mines de Nœux, Coal mine in Nœux-les-Mines, France.
This mining site features two extraction shafts positioned to maximize coal extraction from the underground seams. The property contains preserved headframes, engine houses, workshops, and administrative buildings that show the scale of past operations.
The first shaft opened in 1851 to begin coal extraction from deep reserves, while a second shaft was added in 1883 and became the primary production point. This expansion was part of the major coal boom that transformed the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region during the 1800s.
The mining complex shows how coal extraction shaped everyday life in the region, with preserved worker facilities and a chapel built specifically for miners. The Saint Barbara Church served as a gathering place for the mining community.
The site welcomes visitors to explore the grounds, though access involves walking over uneven terrain with older industrial structures that may have limited stability. Wear sturdy shoes and plan your visit during daylight hours when you can see the layout of the complex clearly.
The old waste heap number 36 is now wooded and shows the contrast between industrial heritage and nature reclaiming the land. Many visitors miss that this elevation is entirely composed of mining refuse that has slowly transformed into forest.
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