Dedicated to Auguste Descamp, this Puits n° 2 ter Auguste Descamp Plaque marks a spot of industrial history. The plaque commemorates a vital air shaft. It also marks a chapter in Loison-sous-Lens’s mining past. This is a past now silent but once vibrant.
Puits n° 2 ter Auguste Descamp was part of the Lens mining complex. This complex significantly shaped the region. Construction started around 1900. It served as an ventilation shaft. It was essential for the miners’ safety and the mine’s operation. The mines needed proper ventilation. It helped prevent gas buildup and ensured breathable air.
Auguste Descamp’s name is linked to this site. He was likely an important figure in the mining operations. Perhaps he was an engineer or a manager. His contribution was significant enough to warrant this memorial.
The mine reached a depth of 506 meters. Imagine the darkness and the heat at that depth. Think of the constant work. Consider the dangers miners faced daily. Coal was the resource extracted here. This fuel powered industries and homes across the region.
In 1967, the Puits n° 2 ter Auguste Descamp was filled. It ceased operations. By this time mining was changing. Other pits were being used for the same purpose. The landscape began to shift. The mines closed and were replaced by other industries. The plaque serves as a reminder of what was once a key economic driver.
Other shafts nearby included 2 and 2bis. They were vital to the mining operation. Puits 2 was sunk in 1858 near the route de Lille. Miners reached coal at 143 meters. Puits 2bis was added in 1901. It became the main extraction shaft with a modern metallic headframe. These shafts worked together. They contributed to the overall output of the Lens mines.
The original headframes of Puits 2 and 2ter were concrete in 1920. Puits 2bis retained its metallic structure. These structures defined the skyline for decades. In 1958, the mine concentrated its operations. It shifted to Fosse 8 then to Fosse 19. By 1972, Puits 2 was filled. Puits 2bis followed in 1973. The headframes for 2 bis and 2 ter were demolished in 1976.
Today only the caretaker’s house remains of the 2/2bis site. The Puits n° 2 ter Auguste Descamp Plaque stands alone. It is a quiet monument. It marks the spot where the mine once stood.
Consider the lives of those who worked here. They toiled in harsh conditions. They fueled the industrial growth of the region. This plaque ensures their stories are not forgotten. It serves as a touchstone. It connects us to the past. The Puits n° 2 ter Auguste Descamp Plaque invites reflection. It prompts us to remember the industrial heritage of Loison-sous-Lens. It also honors the people who made it possible.