Urbex - The anthracite mine of horror

This short documentary focuses on an anthracite mine. To put it simply, this ore is a type of coal, specifically the highest quality variety. Anthracite is relatively "lean"; unlike lignite, it leaves a mark on your fingers, its surfaces are shiny, and it has a dark grey-black appearance. This mine was brought to our attention by Robert Durand, who completed a full visit and surveyed its topography.

This is no small network. It totals between 1,500 and 2,000 meters of excavations, forming a relatively anarchic knot of tunnels. It follows no standard pattern—neither "room and pillar," nor vein mining, nor "piliers tournés." It seems to have been dug somewhat at the whim of the miners, or perhaps just by luck. It’s hard to imagine there was ever a master plan. Regardless, thanks to the map made by Robert, navigation is not difficult. That said, both he and we suspect there are still undiscovered tunnels and small corners left to explore. We surely don't know it all.

On our end, we only explored a small portion. It’s hard to estimate, but let’s say we limited ourselves to the most easily accessible third (the haulage ways, if you can even call them that). The reason: we judged the mine to be in a notorious state of decay. That is precisely why we aren't naming it. The entrance is choked with mud amidst a semi-collapse of fir trees, the tunnels are fractured, and the timbering lies rotting on the ground. Most importantly, as one photo shows, everything suggests that significant sections of the ceilings have sagged by about twenty centimeters. I won't say it’s as treacherous a visit as the slate quarries, but the incessant rain, fatigue, and filth eventually got the better of our courage. I invite you to soak in the atmosphere of the place through this nightmare tale; immerse yourself—now, it’s your turn.

The night before, you spent over an hour driving in the rain, trying to find a spot to pitch the tent. You went as far as a grim dam, shrouded in clouds. Finally, in desperation, you ring the doorbell of total strangers at 9:30 PM to ask if you can camp in their garden. You are met by a woman who is suspicious at first, then very welcoming.

"Don't look at my dog. Act as if he doesn't exist, and everything will be fine." "Oh? Really?" "Yes. He begs for pets, he acts sweet. But then, he bites." "I see. That’s funny because usually, people say their dog is friendly." The black Labrador ignores us for the most part, glancing over occasionally and sniffing the air, but he doesn't approach. "Yes, well, mine is foul. He bites, he's mean. I don't know how I could have raised such a monstrosity."

Ultimately, we pitch the tent under a terrace, in the dry. "By the way, in the morning, he asks to go out. I let him loose and he goes for his little walk." "Ah? And at what time?" "Oh, it depends. It varies."

Needless to say, we cleared out of there at 6:45 sharp! Ah, that dog! Brrr. Still, that person’s hospitality couldn't have been more providential. Throughout the night, the rain rarely stopped. To keep you in the mood: you're eating breakfast in a deserted ski bus shelter. It’s raining. Water flows down the sloping road, making amusing little patterns. It’s cold. You head toward the mine entrance; it’s still early, and the surroundings are almost deserted. It’s raining. Your mining clothes are so filthy you feel a sense of self-loathing. The sleeves are still soaked from the day before.

You walk through a steep pasture, pockmarked by cow hooves. Your footsteps sink into the mud. You descend toward a stream, through a thick edge of fir trees. The ground is slippery. The needles of the firs dump water on you as you pass. You find the entrance after a bit of searching and, above all, very good info from our friend Robert. Uprooted fir trees leave the terrain chaotic. The entrance is smeared with mud. Above the opening, large stones seem questionable at best. The entrance is littered with plastic waste. The tunnel is about ten meters long, chaotic, strewn with scattered rocks, and only 80 cm high. You are in the mine. You arrive at the Mikado Room.

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