264 MINES 



has been abandoned. The workings were resumed in 1837. See description in 

 Journal des Mines, t. xx. 



The department of the Isere presented a more important mine, worked with regu- 

 larity from 1768 to 1815 ; but it also has been given up ; it was the silver mino of 

 Allcmontvc Chalanchcs. The ore consisted of different mineral species, more or less 

 rich in silver, disseminated in a clay which 'filled the clefts and irregular cavities in 

 the middle of talcose and hornblende rocks. Tnts mine yielded annually, towards the 

 conclusion of the 18th century, as much as 2,000 marcs of silver; along with some 

 cobalt ore. Among the great number of mineral species, which occurred in too small 

 quantities to be worked to advantage, there were native antimony, sulphuret of mer- 

 cury, &c. In the High Alps the mine of argentiferous galena called L Argentiere has 

 been resumed. 



From the entrance of the valley of the Oisans to the valley of the Arc in Savoy, 

 there occur, on the N.W. slope of the Alps, a great many mines of sparry iron. The 

 occurrence of this ore is here very difficult to define. It appears to form sometimes 

 beds or masses, and sometimes veins amid the talcose rocks. Some is also found in 

 small veins in the first course of the calcareous formation which covers these rocks. 

 These mines are very numerous, the most productive occur united in the neighbour- 

 hood of Allevard, department of the Isere, and of Saint Georges d'Huretieres in Savoy. 

 Those of Forneaux and Laprat, in the latter country, are also mentioned. The irre- 

 . gularity of the mining operations surpasses that of the deposits. The mines have 

 been from time immemorial in the hands of the inhabitants of the adjoining villages, 

 who work in them, each on his own account, without any pre-arrangement, or other 

 rule than following the masses of ore which excite hopes of the most considerable 

 profit in a s.hort space of time. What occurs frequently in mines of sparry iron, is 

 also to be seen here, most imprudent workings. The mine called the Grande Fosse, 

 at Saint Georges d'Huretieres, is prolonged, without pillars or props, through a height 

 of 1 30 yards, a length of 220 yards, and a breadth equal to that of the deposit, which 

 amounts in this place to from 8 to 13 yards ; thus a void space is exhibited of nearly 

 300,000 cubic yards. The sparry iron extracted from these different mines supplies 

 materials to 10 or 12 smelting furnaces, the cast-iron of which, chiefly adapted for 

 conversion into steel, is manufactured in part in the celebrated steel works of Hives, 

 department of the Isere. There occurs in some parts of the mines of Saint Georges 

 d'Huretieres copper pyrites, which is smelted at Aigucbclle. 



Savoy presents celebrated lead mines at Pesey and at Macot, 1 leagues to the E. 

 of Moutiers. Galena, accompanied with quartz, sulphate of baryta, and ferriferous 

 carbonate of lime, occurs in mass in talcose rocks. The mine of Pesey was taken up 

 in 1792 by the French Government, which established there a practical school 

 of mines ; and in its hands the mine produced annually as much as 440,000 Ibs. avoird. 

 of lead, and 2,500 marcs of silver. That of Macot, opened a few years ago, has 

 given considerable returns. The mino of copper pyrites of Servoz, in the valley 

 of the Arve, may also be mentioned. The ore occurs both in small veins and 

 disseminated in a clay slate ; but the exploration is now suspended. Lastly, slightly 

 productive workings of anthracite are mentioned in several points of these mountains 

 and in the conterminous portions of the Alps. 



There exist in Piedmont some small mines of argentiferous lead. The copper 

 mines of Allagne, and those of Ollomont, formerly yielded considerable quantities of 

 this metal. Their exploration is now on the decline. The manganese mines of Saint- 

 Marcel have been but feebly developed. Mines of plumbago, little worked, occur in 

 the neighbourhood of Vinay and in the valley of Pellis, not far from Pignerol. Some 

 mines of auriferous pyrites have also been worked in this district of country ; among 

 others, those of Macugnaga, at the eastern foot of Monte Rosa. The pyrites of this 

 mine afforded by amalgamation only 11 grains of gold per quintal ; and this gold, far 

 from being fine, contained of its weight of silver. They became less rich in pro- 

 portion as they receded from the surface. Several similar mines are working in the 

 valleys of Anzasca, Toppa, and Antrona, in the province of Pallanza ; the value of the 

 produce being about 20,000^. annually. 



The most important mines in this country are those of iron. These generally 

 consist of masses of magnetic oxide of iron, of a nature analogous to those of Sweden ; 

 the principal ones being those of Cogne and Traversella, which are worked in open 

 quarries. Some others, less considerable, are explored by shafts and galleries. These 

 ores arc reduced in smelting cupolas, and Catalan forges. There are considerably above 

 one hundred refinery hearths. The whole produce is stated to be from 10,000 to" 15,000 

 tons of bar iron. 



There is a mine of black oxide of iron, at present abandoned, at Bovernier, near 

 Martipuy, in the Valais. There is also another iron mine at, Chamoissons, in a lofty 

 calcareous mountain on the right bank of the Rhone, Tho ore presents a mixture of 



