Évin-Malmaison

Hidden within the heart of France, Évin-Malmaison whispers tales of industry and resilience. Évin-Malmaison, a seemingly unassuming town nestled within the Pas-de-Calais department, holds a significant piece of French history. Once a quiet village along the Deûle River, Évin-Malmaison’s destiny was forever altered by the discovery of coal. This discovery transformed it into a bustling mining town. Évin-Malmaison bears the scars of World War I, having endured significant destruction, but its spirit remained unbroken, earning it the Croix de guerre in 1920. The heart of Évin-Malmaison’s mining legacy lies in Fosse n° 8 – 8 bis of the Dourges Mines. Construction began in 1919, near the Deûle Canal, to extract lean coal. The 8 bis well was added in 1923. Upon nationalization, it became part of the Oignies Group, unlike other Dourges Mines, to consolidate the extraction of lean coal. A connection to the Ostricourt Fosse n° 7 was established in 1955. Extraction at Évin-Malmaison ceased in 1961, replaced by the newer Oignies n° 10. However, the wells continued to serve, transporting personnel and equipment. In 1968, another transformation occurred, connecting Fosse n° 8 to Oignies n° 9 and 10. A new headframe, approximately 40 meters tall, was erected over well n° 8. This headframe had a unique history. Originally installed at Auchel’s n° 3 ter well in 1947, it was dismantled and reassembled at Évin-Malmaison in 1963. It stood beside the n° 8 bis headframe, along with its powerful 1800 horsepower extraction engine. The n° 8 bis buildings were subsequently dismantled. By 1973, Fosse n° 8 was no longer used for personnel and equipment descent but was essential for ventilating Oignies n° 10 until 1991. The wells were filled, the n° 8 bis headframe removed, and the 18-hectare site sold. The new owner’s demolitions sparked a passionate campaign by the Association du 8 d’Evin. Their efforts, supported by the Hénin-Carvin urban community, saved the n° 8 headframe. Today, Évin-Malmaison’s headframe stands as a proud symbol of its mining past, a testament to the community’s enduring spirit, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It represents not just the industry that shaped Évin-Malmaison, but the people who fought to preserve its memory.