Fosse n° 2 des mines de Marles, charbonnage à Marles-les-Mines (Pas-de-Calais)
Fosse n° 2 des mines de Marles is a former coal mine in Marles-les-Mines, also known locally as Saint-Émile. The site preserves a mine shaft headframe, brick and concrete buildings, and equipment that visitors can see as they walk through the grounds.
Mining began with the first shaft in 1853, but it collapsed due to water infiltration in 1854. A second shaft was sunk and began coal production in 1858. After a major collapse in 1866, operations resumed using new techniques and continued until 1974.
The site is known locally as Saint-Émile, a name that reflects how deeply the mining operation shaped community identity. The worker housing built nearby reveals how families organized their lives around the mine's rhythms and demands.
The grounds can be explored on foot, with informational signs helping visitors understand the different areas. Guided tours are sometimes available and offer deeper insights into how the mine operated and its history.
The main shaft reached a depth of 506 meters (1,660 feet) and was sealed in 1974 after remaining operational for several decades. This exceptional depth reveals the technical demands miners faced when extracting coal from far underground.
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