Spathfluor : The Valzergues Mine

Need of a testimony

The history of the Valzergues fluorite mine is short. Yet, according to the mineralogic specimens given, this mine is universally known by collectors. Althought this mine existed only fifity years, it would be a pity to forget an exploitation where men, women and kids have devoted an important part of their life.

France, by its rich mineral inheritance has huge spath-fluor reserves ; they have been exploited in several ten of mines and certain of them already exist, but for how long? As a matter of fact, they tend to disappear but, is it a reason to forget what was the life of many miners?

When we talk about this subject, a kind of censury appears. Owners are too much modest. They refuse to talk about it. They don't want to devote themselves to confidences. Information is jealousy kept. Allright, works were not always funny; they were sometimes maken in some conditions of artisanal exploitation. But, is it once again a reason to forget?

Quartz on fluorite
(yellow vein)

I realized it was necessary to bring written testimonies of human works... for respect of people who took part in it and for avoiding the fall of this small exploitation in the darkness.

fluorite, chalcopyrite and quartz
(seam of "fluorited-quartz")

Otherwise, it seems inconceivable to have mineralogic pieces without being interested in the life of the exploitation where the come from. Moreover, minerals appear in collection only because of a work of exploration et we have to look an eye on the work of prospectors allowing this creation of mines...

Few document exist on this exploitation which has been active during fifty years. It is also difficult to reach these documents. Nevertheless, I want to drive you to Valzergues in order to share with you the joy of penetrating in this underground world. You can feel this particular moisture. You can move in the silence of the galleries with your only friend: the gleam of your lamp. The silence is disturbed by some water drops falling. They will be lost in the ground in order to take part in the elaboration of new ore deposits which we will be able to never see...

The book " The Valzergues mine of fluorite " perennialize the human memory. Future generations will know that an experience and a human heat felt by minors hide behind the cold words "industrial archeology".

The MINE…

Discovered in 1923 by Victor Lassale, the mine of fluorite of Valzergues have been exploited during the growing period of steel and aluminium industry. Numerous societies succeeded one another (cf summary). Its history has been strictly linked to the economic situations, and consequently, it's at the beginning of the decade 70s, it stopped to exist such as an exploitable site.

Its historic was also related to characters to the mine. As a matter of fact, these people didn't control the complex relations between the exploitation cost, geologic environment, mineral content and extracted tonnage. Consequentlly, the mine knew activity and no-activity periods. there is now more of two decades, a small-holder was careful and continued more rigourously investigations in order to know the real capacities of the site.

As French fluorite extraction was more expensive than extraction from other countries, no action was taken. Consequently, the exploitation has been forgotten... However, mineralogists didn' forget it. The Yellow seam knew more and more investigations. It delivered remarkable mineralogical specimens which contributed to get universally famous this mine. Cubes of yellow fluorite, with or without blue colouring zone were quickly found in large collections.

The mine continued to be explored and delivered some of its secrets. This mine represents a part of History (not only local, because the ore was intended for France and other countries); It also represents the testimony of the work of men, women and kids. Currently, it doesn't seem important to preserve this geological inheritance. Thus, a large programm for the safety of the old underground exploitations is developped.

Major entry of the mine (TB326) in January 2002... and now!

Valzergues had not to undergo an administrative safety. Indeed, in 2001, the disgraceful behavior of a mineralogists club resulted in the closing of the mine by the owner. Later, indiscreet people had not the delicacy to respect this decision. Unfortunately, they opened again the site in a yelling way. Currently (07/2003), the owner has closed again the site by using this time a huge amount of cement... Discretion and respect don't seem a part of education of some of those... what is a problem between those working properly and respecting the sites and the others.

For people appreciating inheritance and "old stones", they should know that the chimney of the Valzergues mayoralty was carried out in barite of Montpestels. This exploitation is closed to the Valzergues mine of fluorite. Its history is closely linked to Valzergues mine history (see book).