Underground quarries of the Malogne, Underground phosphate quarry in Cuesmes, Belgium.
The Underground Quarries of Malogne form an extensive network of passages running beneath Cuesmes, created through room and pillar mining that left stone pillars to support the ceiling. The tunnels penetrate deep underground and reveal the characteristic patterns of this mining approach.
Extraction began in 1877 at the Rolland site and continued across multiple operational phases before closing in 1958. This long period of activity deeply shaped the underground landscape of the region.
The Faculty of Polytechnique in Mons uses sections of these quarries for educational purposes, teaching students about geological formations and mining techniques.
Visits require groups of at least 20 people, and visitors should bring their own lighting to navigate safely through the passages. Planning ahead for these requirements helps ensure a comfortable underground experience.
The walls preserve fossils from the Cretaceous period, including mosasaurus teeth, belemnites, oyster shells, and turtle remains. These ancient traces allow visitors to literally touch the prehistoric past preserved in stone.
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