La Découverte, Surface mine in Decazeville, France
La Découverte is a surface mine in Decazeville featuring large-scale earthworks that reshaped the local landscape. The site displays the scale of coal extraction through its vast pit and remaining industrial structures from the mining era.
The mine started in 1892 as an underground operation and shifted to surface mining in 1966 to sustain production after nationwide strikes. It remained active until 2001, when it finally closed.
Mining shaped Decazeville's identity for decades, leaving visible marks on how people lived and worked in this region. The site shows how an entire community depended on coal extraction and later had to rebuild itself.
Visitors can explore the grounds and learn more about mining history through local visitor resources. The site is accessible but offers little shade, so weather-appropriate clothing is recommended.
After closure, a lake formed in the excavation pit and now serves recreational purposes including water sports. This transformation shows how abandoned mining areas can gain new life.
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