Fosse n°2 des Mines d’Ostricourt

In 1860, amidst the bustling landscape of Oignies, the Compagnie des mines d’Ostricourt embarked on a grand endeavor. They began sinking Fosse n°2, later known as Henri Charvet, a coal mine destined to shape the region’s industrial future. Fosse n°2 was initially a four-meter diameter pit, located along the road to Libercourt. The sinking reached a depth of 61.45 meters without the need for drainage machinery. However, at this depth, the water inflow became a significant challenge, reaching 300 hectoliters per hour. Initially, a 20-horsepower extraction engine was used, but it proved insufficient. A 50-horsepower drainage engine was then installed, allowing the sinking to proceed to 71.48 meters. Yet again, this proved insufficient, requiring a rented 200-horsepower engine from the Compagnie de Meurchin. This powerful engine, with its five generators and two pumps, could lift up to 65 hectoliters of water per minute. The coal-bearing strata were finally encountered at 151.95 meters. Fosse n°2 began operations in 1863, unearthing a treasure trove of lean coal. It was deepened to 378.14 meters, intersecting nine coal seams. Five of these seams, notably seam no. 6 with a thickness of 1.10 to 1.50 meters, and no. 9 proved commercially viable. However, the presence of firedamp, a dangerous gas, emerged as a constant threat. In 1864, a tragic explosion claimed the lives of four miners, underscoring the perilous nature of coal mining. Fosse n°2 became a pivotal site for the Compagnie des mines d’Ostricourt. In 1937, the decision was made to transform it into a central extraction point, necessitating the widening of the pit to 5.30 meters in diameter. World War II disrupted the modernization efforts, but by 1950, Fosse n°2 had been transformed. It housed France’s most powerful steam engine and boasted a new 55-meter-high lattice girder headframe. The mine was equipped with 2,700-liter tubs, screening facilities, and a washery. Fosse n°2’s legacy extends beyond its industrial operations. The mine’s headframe, along with the extraction machine and overhead crane, stands as a testament to its past. These structures have been designated as classified historical monuments, preserving a piece of Oignies’ industrial heritage. Today, remnants of Fosse n°2 offer a glimpse into the lives of those who toiled beneath the earth, a reminder of the human endeavor that fueled a region and powered an era.