Puits Combélibert

English translation

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History

The well of the Pré du Gourd-Marin and the Combélibert well are rare vestiges and particularly symbolic of coal mining exploitation in France. Dating from 1855, the headframe of the Combélibert well is the oldest. Inaugurated as early as 1780 in the Loire coal basin, this well was for long the most important, it originally descended to a depth of 80 metres. Its headframe bears witness to the progress subsequently achieved, with the abandonment of the rudimentary technique of small wells, stopped when they were submerged, in favour of slanting galleries or "split" galleries. The increase in production was achieved by multiplying steam engines, which allowed the deepening of wells, progress of which the machine building in rubble stone, flanked by its transformer, and the brick chimney with square base are testimony. The regrouping of the operators, by virtue of the creation of the Compagnie Générale de Mines de la Loire, in 1844, made it possible to bring together the necessary capital. Ultimate example of wooden headframe, Combélibert, rises 10 metres high, it stands on four pillars, without a brace. In 1889, the well still served for pumping, it was again worked in 1893 to a depth of 169 metres and abandoned in 1903. All the mining installations, stopped in 1953, became a residential villa area.