Puits n° 19 Plaque

In 1954, a new chapter began in Loos-en-Gohelle’s mining history. This chapter centered around Puits n° 19. This wasn’t just another mineshaft. Puits n° 19 was a symbol of modernization, a key part of the nationalization and consolidation of the French coal industry. The Compagnie des mines de Lens, once a driving force in the region, had become part of the larger Groupe de Lens-Liévin. This shift brought with it the need to streamline operations, concentrating extraction at strategically located sites. Puits n° 19, alongside its older sibling, Puits n° 11, was chosen for this crucial role. The construction of Puits n° 19 was a marvel of engineering. Unlike traditional mineshafts with their towering headframes, Puits n° 19 featured a striking 66-meter concrete extraction tower. This tower, a testament to modern design, housed powerful machinery capable of lifting tons of coal daily. In 1960, Puits n° 19 roared to life. It began extracting coal from a depth of 475 meters. Several nearby mines, including Puits nos 2 – 2 bis, 3 – 3 bis, 4, and 9, ceased their individual extraction operations and were consolidated under Puits n° 19. They continued to provide essential services and ventilation. The impact of Puits n° 19 was immediate and dramatic. It exceeded expectations, quickly reaching a daily output of 8,000 tons, surpassing its initial projected capacity of 6,000 tons. As Puits n° 19 thrived, its connected spoil heaps, known as terrils 74, 74A, and 74B, grew. These towering mounds of mining waste became dominant features of the landscape, visual reminders of the intense activity taking place below ground. Puits n° 19 continued to evolve, reaching new depths and consolidating more mines. In 1966, Puits n° 12 joined the network. A new level was established at 710 meters in 1971, and even Puits n° 7 – 7 bis from the Liévin mines was integrated in 1973. Puits n° 19 served as a central hub for the region’s mining operations. However, the era of coal was coming to a close. In 1986, Puits n° 19 fell silent, its role in the industrial symphony complete. Both Puits n° 11 and Puits n° 19 were filled in 1987, marking the end of an era. While the mine itself is gone, the concrete extraction tower of Puits n° 19 still stands as a silent sentinel. It serves as a poignant reminder of Loos-en-Gohelle’s mining heritage, a symbol of innovation, and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the miners who toiled beneath the earth.