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{{Short description|Sedimentary basin containing oil shale in Autun, France.}} {{Short description|Sedimentary basin containing oil shale in Autun, France.}}
{{Draft topics|western-europe|stem}}
{{AfC topic|geo}}
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] ]
The '''Autun oil shale deposit''' is a ] containing ] of the ] age (between 299 and 282 million years old) in the vicinity of ] in ], in the center-east of ]. The '''Autun oil shale deposit''' is a ] containing ] of the ] age (between 299 and 282 million years old) in the vicinity of ] in ], in the center-east of ].


The extraction of the shale commenced in 1824 at ]. ] production began as early as 1837 for {{Interlanguage link|Public lighting|lt=public lighting|fr|Éclairage public}} purposes, with facilities undergoing continuous improvement to diversify production. The largest of these facilities was the ], which was equipped with a ] in 1936 and employed several hundred workers to produce ] ]. This mine was the last to close in 1957. The total production of the deposit is estimated at 13 million tons. The extraction of the shale commenced in 1824 at ]. Oil shale production began as early as 1837 for {{Interlanguage link|Public lighting|lt=public lighting|fr|Éclairage public}} purposes, with facilities undergoing continuous improvement to diversify production. The largest of these facilities was the ], which was equipped with a ] in 1936 and employed several hundred workers to produce ] ]. This mine was the last to close in 1957. The total production of the deposit is estimated at 13 million tons.


The vestiges of this industrial activity, in the form of ruins and slag heaps, persist in the early 21st century, particularly in the villages of ], ], and ]. The vestiges of this industrial activity, in the form of ruins and slag heaps, persist in the early 21st century, particularly in the villages of ], ], and ].
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The ] is an underground depression with an east-west orientation, measuring approximately 30 km in length and reaching a maximum width of 12 km.<ref name=":0" /> The ] is an underground depression with an east-west orientation, measuring approximately 30 km in length and reaching a maximum width of 12 km.<ref name=":0" />


The Autun basin is in direct proximity to the {{Interlanguage link|Épinac coal mine|lt=Épinac coal basin|fr|Houillères d'Épinac}}. The two deposits have a significant degree of overlap and are even jointly exploited in the communes of ] and ].<ref name=":1">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013a|p=11}}</ref> The Autun basin is in direct proximity to the ]. The two deposits have a significant degree of overlap and are even jointly exploited in the communes of ] and ].<ref name=":1">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013a|p=11}}</ref>


== Geology == == Geology ==
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* Lower Autunian: * Lower Autunian:
** The ] bed is situated directly on the {{Interlanguage link|Épinac coal mine|lt=Moloy|fr|Houillères d'Épinac}} (]) coal terrain. It has a thickness ranging from 150 to 230 meters, comprising alternating layers of bituminous and non-bituminous coal, overlain by a substantial ] layer. ** The ] bed is situated directly on the ] (]) coal terrain. It has a thickness ranging from 150 to 230 meters, comprising alternating layers of bituminous and non-bituminous coal, overlain by a substantial ] layer.
** The Muse bed is 400 meters in thickness and includes bituminous layers, namely the Laly and Muse layers. ** The Muse bed is 400 meters in thickness and includes bituminous layers, namely the Laly and Muse layers.

* Upper Autunian: * Upper Autunian:
** The Surmoulin bed (]) has a thickness of 250 meters and comprises, in its lower portion, the extensive Surmoulin oil shale layer. ** The Surmoulin bed (]) has a thickness of 250 meters and comprises, in its lower portion, the extensive Surmoulin oil shale layer.
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== History == == History ==
The deposit was initially identified in 1813 at ], and extraction commenced in 1824 within this commune. The industrial production of ] began in 1837 for {{Interlanguage link|Public lighting|lt=public lighting|fr|Éclairage public}} in several major cities, including ], ], ], and ].<ref name=":3">{{Harvsp|Feys|1945|p=|pages=16-17}}</ref><ref name=":0" group="i">{{Cite web |last=CCCA d'après Gilles Pacaud |title=Quel avenir pour les schistes bitumineux ? |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331104106/http://www.gensdumorvan.fr/culture/ccca-l-quel-avenir-pour-les-schistes-bitumineux-r-conference-de-gilles-pacaud.html |website=gensdumorvan.fr |language=fr}}</ref><ref name=":0" group="o">{{Cite book |last=Lecomte |first=Bernard |url=https://books.google.fr/books?id=C3Qjcflrg04C&dq=Mine+des+T%C3%A9lots&hl=fr&source=gbs_navlinks_s |title=La Bourgogne Pour les Nuls |date=2013 |publisher=Deux mystérieux terrils à l'entrée d'Autun |language=fr |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.fr%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DC3Qjcflrg04C%26dq%3DMine%2Bdes%2BT%25C3%25A9lots%26hl%3Dfr%26source%3Dgbs_navlinks_s#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref><ref name=":1" group="i">{{Cite web |last= |title=Les Houillères de Blanzy en Bourgogne : Mine de schiste bitumineux des Télots - Autun / Saint-Forgeot |url=http://www.patrimoine-minier.fr/bourgogne/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patrimoine-minier.fr%2Fbourgogne%2Findex.html#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-date=July 24, 2024 |website=patrimoine-minier.fr |language=fr}}</ref> To extract the oil, the shale is crushed and then heated to a temperature between 450 and 500 °C in a confined, airless space. The escaping ] is then ] to obtain a liquid material similar to ].<ref name=":2" group="i">{{Cite web |title=Les Houillères de Blanzy : Mine des Télots |url=https://www.exxplore.fr/pages/Houilleres-Blanzy.php |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.exxplore.fr%2Fpages%2FHouilleres-Blanzy.php#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-date=May 4, 2014 |website=exxplore.fr |language=fr}}</ref> Despite facing competition from ] in 1847, the production of Autun ] rebounded quickly.<ref name=":1" group="o">{{Cite web |last=Miot |first=Gilles |title=L'exploitation de schiste bitumineux dans l'Autunois : La mine et l'usine des Télots |url=https://bm.dijon.fr/documents/ANNALES%20BOURGOGNE/1984/1984-056-08-074-075-1372363.pdf |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bm-dijon.fr%2Fdocuments%2FANNALES%2520BOURGOGNE%2F1984%2F1984-056-08-074-075-1372363.pdf%2Findex.html#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |website=Recherches des étudiants |language=fr}}</ref> The deposit was initially identified in 1813 at ], and extraction commenced in 1824 within this commune. The industrial production of ] began in 1837 for {{Interlanguage link|Public lighting|lt=public lighting|fr|Éclairage public}} in several major cities, including ], ], ], and ].<ref name=":3">{{Harvsp|Feys|1945|p=|pages=16-17}}</ref><ref group="i">{{Cite web |last=CCCA d'après Gilles Pacaud |title=Quel avenir pour les schistes bitumineux ? |url=http://www.gensdumorvan.fr/culture/ccca-l-quel-avenir-pour-les-schistes-bitumineux-r-conference-de-gilles-pacaud.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103101039/https://web.archive.org/web/20190331104106/http://www.gensdumorvan.fr/culture/ccca-l-quel-avenir-pour-les-schistes-bitumineux-r-conference-de-gilles-pacaud.html |archive-date=January 3, 2022 |website=gensdumorvan.fr |language=fr}}</ref><ref group="o">{{Cite book |last=Lecomte |first=Bernard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C3Qjcflrg04C&q=Mine+des+T%C3%A9lots |title=La Bourgogne Pour les Nuls |date=2013 |publisher=Deux mystérieux terrils à l'entrée d'Autun |isbn=978-2-7540-5487-4 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725125301/https://books.google.fr/books?id=C3Qjcflrg04C&dq=Mine+des+T%C3%A9lots&hl=fr&source=gbs_navlinks_s |archive-date=July 25, 2024}}</ref><ref group="i">{{Cite web |last= |title=Les Houillères de Blanzy en Bourgogne : Mine de schiste bitumineux des Télots - Autun / Saint-Forgeot |url=http://www.patrimoine-minier.fr/bourgogne/index.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103101105/http://www.patrimoine-minier.fr/bourgogne/index.html |archive-date=January 3, 2022 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=patrimoine-minier.fr |language=fr}}</ref> To extract the oil, the shale is crushed and then heated to a temperature between 450 and 500 °C in a confined, airless space. The escaping ] is then ] to obtain a liquid material similar to ].<ref group="i">{{Cite web |title=Les Houillères de Blanzy : Mine des Télots |url=https://www.exxplore.fr/pages/Houilleres-Blanzy.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126044623/http://www.exxplore.fr/pages/Houilleres-Blanzy.php#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-date=November 26, 2015 |website=exxplore.fr |language=fr |access-date=July 25, 2024 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> Despite facing competition from ] in 1847, the production of Autun ] rebounded quickly.<ref group="o">{{Cite web |last=Miot |first=Gilles |title=L'exploitation de schiste bitumineux dans l'Autunois : La mine et l'usine des Télots |url=https://bm.dijon.fr/documents/ANNALES%20BOURGOGNE/1984/1984-056-08-074-075-1372363.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619165714/http://www.bm-dijon.fr/documents/ANNALES%20BOURGOGNE/1984/1984-056-08-074-075-1372363.pdf |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=Recherches des étudiants |language=fr}}</ref>


1864 and 1865 represented a period of peak profitability for ], with a 30% return on investment. In 1865, approximately 6,700 tons of oil were extracted from oil shales,<ref group="o">{{Cite journal |last=Taupenot |first=Lucien |date=2006 |title=Quand le pétrole autunois éclairait Paris, Lyon, Dijon, Strasbourg |journal=Images de Saône-et-Loire |language=fr |issue=145 |pages=2 & 3}}</ref> utilizing approximately twenty extraction sites and sixteen processing plants.<ref name=":4">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013a|p=17|pages=}}</ref> 1864 and 1865 represented a period of peak profitability for ], with a 30% return on investment. In 1865, approximately 6,700 tons of oil were extracted from oil shales,<ref group="o">{{Cite journal |last=Taupenot |first=Lucien |date=2006 |title=Quand le pétrole autunois éclairait Paris, Lyon, Dijon, Strasbourg |journal=Images de Saône-et-Loire |language=fr |issue=145 |pages=2 & 3}}</ref> utilizing approximately twenty extraction sites and sixteen processing plants.<ref name=":4">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013a|p=17|pages=}}</ref>


Towards the conclusion of the nineteenth century, shale was extracted at depths reaching 300 meters below the surface. The advent of competition from ] and ] in 1870 led to the demise of several concessions. In 1881, the Société Lyonnaise des Schistes Bitumineux (SLSB) purchased several remaining concessions to restart production with new private capital and state aid. This resulted in the company obtaining a monopoly in 1891. Surface installations were progressively completed from 1840 to 1870, particularly for the production of ], ], ], and ]. However, the latter products were abandoned after ].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":0" group="i" /><ref name=":0" group="o" /><ref name=":1" group="o" /><ref name=":4" /><ref group="i">{{Cite web |last=Bonnard |first=Lilian |date=October 14, 2013 |title=Gaz de schiste et si on rouvrait la mine d'Autun ? |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530180816/http://www.miroir-mag.fr/8688-gaz-de-schiste-et-si-on-rouvrait-la-mine-dautun/ |website=miroir-mag.fr |language=fr}}</ref> Towards the conclusion of the nineteenth century, shale was extracted at depths reaching 300 meters below the surface. The advent of competition from ] and ] in 1870 led to the demise of several concessions. In 1881, the Société Lyonnaise des Schistes Bitumineux (SLSB) purchased several remaining concessions to restart production with new private capital and state aid. This resulted in the company obtaining a monopoly in 1891. Surface installations were progressively completed from 1840 to 1870, particularly for the production of ], ], ], and ]. However, the latter products were abandoned after ].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /><ref group="i">{{Cite web |last=Bonnard |first=Lilian |date=October 14, 2013 |title=Gaz de schiste et si on rouvrait la mine d'Autun ? |url=http://www.miroir-mag.fr/8688-gaz-de-schiste-et-si-on-rouvrait-la-mine-dautun/ |website=miroir-mag.fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530180816/http://www.miroir-mag.fr/8688-gaz-de-schiste-et-si-on-rouvrait-la-mine-dautun/ |archive-date=2017-05-30 |language=fr}}</ref>


In 1892, the state implemented a reduction in customs duties on imported oils, thereby enhancing their competitive position vis-à-vis Autun oil shale. To offset this, premiums were introduced, enabling the modernization of installations and a 30% increase in crude oil yield. After the {{Interlanguage link|French mobilization in 1914|lt=1914 mobilization|fr|Mobilisation française de 1914}}, the mines and factories of Ravelon (]) and Margenne (]) were compelled to cease operations. The exploitation of the oil shale deposits was concentrated at ] and Surmoulin sites, in the ] region. In 1933, a legislative measure was enacted that granted tax exemption for fuels derived from oil shale, thereby opening up new avenues for exploration. The implementation of social reforms by the ] in 1936 led to a reduction in the profitability of the SLSB. A new company, the Société Minière des Schistes Bitumineux (SMSB), was established with financial backing from {{Interlanguage link|Pechelbronn oilfield|lt=Pechelbronn SAEM|fr|Exploitation de pétrole de Pechelbronn}}. The managers were committed to increasing production sixfold, to extract 3,000 tons of shale per day and distill 5,000 m³ of ] per month. However, these goals were abandoned after ] as unattainable. During {{Interlanguage link|Reconstruction in France after the Second World War|lt=Reconstruction|fr|Reconstruction en France après la Seconde Guerre mondiale}}, mechanization was employed to maintain production at 300,000 tons of shale extracted per year, with yields superior to those of most coal mines.<ref name=":4" /> In 1892, the state implemented a reduction in customs duties on imported oils, thereby enhancing their competitive position vis-à-vis Autun oil shale. To offset this, premiums were introduced, enabling the modernization of installations and a 30% increase in crude oil yield. After the {{Interlanguage link|French mobilization in 1914|lt=1914 mobilization|fr|Mobilisation française de 1914}}, the mines and factories of Ravelon (]) and Margenne (]) were compelled to cease operations. The exploitation of the oil shale deposits was concentrated at ] and Surmoulin sites, in the ] region. In 1933, a legislative measure was enacted that granted tax exemption for fuels derived from oil shale, thereby opening up new avenues for exploration. The implementation of social reforms by the ] in 1936 led to a reduction in the profitability of the SLSB. A new company, the Société Minière des Schistes Bitumineux (SMSB), was established with financial backing from {{Interlanguage link|Pechelbronn oilfield|lt=Pechelbronn SAEM|fr|Exploitation de pétrole de Pechelbronn}}. The managers were committed to increasing production sixfold, to extract 3,000 tons of shale per day and distill 5,000 m<sup>3</sup> of ] per month. However, these goals were abandoned after ] was unattainable. During {{Interlanguage link|Reconstruction in France after the Second World War|lt=Reconstruction|fr|Reconstruction en France après la Seconde Guerre mondiale}}, mechanization was employed to maintain production at 300,000 tons of shale extracted per year, with yields superior to those of most coal mines.<ref name=":4" />


The cessation of activity at ] was prompted by two key factors: the emergence of liquid petroleum as a more lucrative alternative<ref name=":0" group="i" /><ref name=":2" group="i" /> and the termination of state subsidies. These developments led to the dissolution of the SMSB on December 11, 1958.<ref name=":4" /> The cessation of activity at ] was prompted by two key factors: the emergence of liquid petroleum as a more lucrative alternative<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> and the termination of state subsidies. These developments led to the dissolution of the SMSB on December 11, 1958.<ref name=":4" />


== Concessions == == Concessions ==
] ]
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|+'''List of 21 concessions'''<ref>{{Harvsp|Feys|1945|p=|pages=20-21}}</ref> |+'''List of 21 concessions'''<ref>{{Harvsp|Feys|1945|p=|pages=20-21}}</ref>
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The two concessions in question engage exclusively in the exploitation of ] within the commune of ], utilizing the techniques of ]. The depth of the underground workings is approximately fifty meters.<ref name=":5">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013a|p=|pages=20-21}}</ref> The two concessions in question engage exclusively in the exploitation of ] within the commune of ], utilizing the techniques of ]. The depth of the underground workings is approximately fifty meters.<ref name=":5">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013a|p=|pages=20-21}}</ref>


At the beginning of the 21st century, the ] of the plant and the flooded access trench of the Duverne ] remain in situ.<ref name=":6">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=3 (Appendix 7)}}</ref><gallery caption="The Duverne incline"> At the beginning of the 21st century, the ] of the plant and the flooded access trench of the Duverne ] remain in situ.<ref name=":6">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=3 (Appendix 7)}}</ref><gallery class="center" caption="The Duverne incline">
File:2021-02 - Descenderie Duverne - 01.jpg|Flooded access trench. File:2021-02 - Descenderie Duverne - 01.jpg|Flooded access trench.
File:2021-02 - Descenderie Duverne - 07.jpg|Slag heap. File:2021-02 - Descenderie Duverne - 07.jpg|Slag heap.
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=== Chambois concession === === Chambois concession ===
This concession is distinct from the others in that it exclusively mines ] in the commune of ] using ] and partial backfilling techniques. The underground workings reach an 82-meter depth,<ref name=":5" /> with the coal pits located in Chambois, Saint-Romain (two pits), and Polroy. These pits were exploited in the 19th century. This concession is distinct from the others in that it exclusively mines ] in the commune of ] using ] and partial backfilling techniques. The underground workings reach an 82-meter depth,<ref name=":5" /> with the coal pits located in Chambois, Saint-Romain (two pits), and Polroy. These pits were exploited in the 19th century.<ref name=":0" group="i">{{Cite web |date=May 28, 2018 |title=Le fort passé minier de Tavernay |url=https://www.agri71.fr/articles/28/05/2018/Le-fort-passe-minier-de-Tavernay-15174/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419205330/https://www.agri71.fr/articles/28/05/2018/Le-fort-passe-minier-de-Tavernay-15174/ |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |website=agri71.fr |language=fr}}</ref>


At the beginning of the 21st century, the site was still characterized by the presence of slag heaps and a sunken pit.<ref name=":6" /><gallery caption="Remains of the Chambois coal mines"> At the beginning of the 21st century, the site was still characterized by the presence of slag heaps and a sunken pit.<ref name=":6" /><gallery class="center" caption="Remains of the Chambois coal mines">
File:2021-02 - Puits n° 5 (Chambois) - 12.jpg|Shaft No. 5 between the two trunks. File:2021-02 - Puits n° 5 (Chambois) - 12.jpg|Shaft No. 5 between the two trunks.
File:2021-02 - Puits n° 5 (Chambois) - 23.jpg|The slag heap at shaft No. 5. File:2021-02 - Puits n° 5 (Chambois) - 23.jpg|The slag heap at shaft No. 5.
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=== Millery, Saint-Forgeot, Surmoulin, and Télots concession === === Millery, Saint-Forgeot, Surmoulin, and Télots concession ===
{{See also|Les Télots Mine}} {{See also|Les Télots Mine}}
The ] for the extraction of oil shale was granted in 1865. The extraction is carried out exclusively in the commune of ] using various methods, including ], longwall mining, and caving. The workings extend to a depth of approximately 100 meters.<ref name=":5" /> In 1936, a ] was constructed to complement the ] plant, employing several hundred workers in the production of ] ].<ref name=":0" group="o" /><ref name=":1" group="i" /> During the ], this site was of strategic importance to the ], which monitored it. In response, the local ] and the ] (notably the {{Interlanguage link|Scullion raids|lt=Scullion raids|fr|Raids Scullion}}) conducted minor sabotage acts. In retaliation, five workers were executed by the ].<ref group="o">{{Cite book |last=Foot |first=Michael R D |url=https://books.google.fr/books?id=qOGbBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT266&lpg=PT266&dq=op%C3%A9ration+scullion+autun&source=bl&ots=N8f-GbtwD6&sig=kGQ4JUHtf86H_eugyqOyojDLE2o&hl=fr&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjrj56024PKAhUHOBoKHfOMBegQ6AEIOjAF#v=onepage&q=op%C3%A9ration%20scullion%20autun&f=false |title=Des anglais dans la résistance. Le SOE en France, 1940-1944 |last2=Crémieux-Brilhac |first2=Jean-Louis |date=2013 |publisher=Tallandier |isbn=979-1-02100-194-7 |language=fr |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.fr%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DqOGbBAAAQBAJ%26pg%3DPT266%26lpg%3DPT266%26dq%3Dop%25C3%25A9ration%2Bscullion%2Bautun%26source%3Dbl%26ots%3DN8f-GbtwD6%26sig%3DkGQ4JUHtf86H_eugyqOyojDLE2o%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DX%26ved%3D0ahUKEwjrj56024PKAhUHOBoKHfOMBegQ6AEIOjAF%23v%3Donepage%26q%3Dop%25C3%25A9ration%2520scullion%2520autun%26f%3Dfalse#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-date=November 11, 2018}}</ref> <gallery> The ] for the extraction of oil shale was granted in 1865. The extraction is carried out exclusively in the commune of ] using various methods, including ], longwall mining, and caving. The workings extend to a depth of approximately 100 meters.<ref name=":5" /> In 1936, a ] was constructed to complement the ] plant, employing several hundred workers in the production of ] ].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> During the ], this site was of strategic importance to the ], which monitored it. In response, the local ] and the ] (notably the {{Interlanguage link|Scullion raids|lt=Scullion raids|fr|Raids Scullion}}) conducted minor sabotage acts. In retaliation, five workers were executed by the ].<ref group="o">{{Cite book |last1=Foot |first1=Michael R D |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qOGbBAAAQBAJ&dq=op%C3%A9ration+scullion+autun&pg=PT266 |title=Des anglais dans la résistance. Le SOE en France, 1940-1944 |last2=Crémieux-Brilhac |first2=Jean-Louis |date=2013 |publisher=Tallandier |isbn=979-1-02100-194-7 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420111850/https://books.google.fr/books?id=qOGbBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT266&lpg=PT266&dq=op%C3%A9ration+scullion+autun&source=bl&ots=N8f-GbtwD6&sig=kGQ4JUHtf86H_eugyqOyojDLE2o&hl=fr&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjrj56024PKAhUHOBoKHfOMBegQ6AEIOjAF#v=onepage&q=op%C3%A9ration%20scullion%20autun&f=false |archive-date=April 20, 2021}}</ref> <gallery class="center">
File:XXe - Mine des Télots - 08.jpg|The headframe of an extraction shaft. File:XXe - Mine des Télots - 08.jpg|The headframe of an extraction shaft.
File:XXe - Mine des Télots - 04.jpg|Shale preparation. File:XXe - Mine des Télots - 04.jpg|Shale preparation.
File:XXe - Mine des Télots - 05.jpg|Crushing and stockpiling. File:XXe - Mine des Télots - 05.jpg|Crushing and stockpiling.
File:XXe - Mine des Télots - 02.jpg|Overview. File:XXe - Mine des Télots - 02.jpg|Overview.
</gallery>Following the site's closure in 1957, it was dismantled and partially demolished. At the beginning of the 21st century, the landscape was marked by the site remains, including ruins and two large slag heaps.<ref>{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=9 (Appendix 7)}}</ref><ref name=":1" group="i" /><ref name=":2" group="i" /> These had become overrun by distinctive vegetation, which has been studied for its ]. The site is recognized as a ] (ZNIEFF).<gallery caption="The mining remnants of Télots"> </gallery>Following the site's closure in 1957, it was dismantled and partially demolished. At the beginning of the 21st century, the landscape was marked by the site remains, including ruins and two large slag heaps.<ref>{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=9 (Appendix 7)}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> These had become overrun by distinctive vegetation, which has been studied for its ]. The site is recognized as a ] (ZNIEFF).<ref group="i">{{Cite web |title=ZNIEFF 260030145 - Les Télots à Saint-Forgeot |url=https://inpn.mnhn.fr/zone/znieff/260030145/tab/commentaires |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423014301/https://inpn.mnhn.fr/zone/znieff/260030145/tab/commentaires |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |website=INPN |language=fr}}</ref><gallery class="center" caption="The mining remnants of Télots">
File:2021-02 - Terrils des Télots - 45.jpg|Two slag heaps. File:2021-02 - Terrils des Télots - 45.jpg|Two slag heaps.
File:2021-02 - Mine des Télots - 355.jpg|General aerial view. File:2021-02 - Mine des Télots - 355.jpg|General aerial view.
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File:2021-02 - Mine des Télots - 068.jpg|Crusher. File:2021-02 - Mine des Télots - 068.jpg|Crusher.
File:2021-02 - Mine des Télots - 023.jpg|Downhill machinery. File:2021-02 - Mine des Télots - 023.jpg|Downhill machinery.
</gallery>The Millery ] is linked to the ] via the tenth layer. At the beginning of the 21st century, the backfilled entrance and the windlass building were still visible.<ref name=":1" group="i" /><ref name=":2" group="i" /><gallery caption="The Millery yard"> </gallery>The Millery ] is linked to the ] via the tenth layer. At the beginning of the 21st century, the backfilled entrance and the windlass building were still visible.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><gallery class="center" caption="The Millery yard">
File:2021-02 - Carreau de Millery - 24.jpg|Windlass. File:2021-02 - Carreau de Millery - 24.jpg|Windlass.
File:2021-02 - Carreau de Millery - 03.jpg|Overview. File:2021-02 - Carreau de Millery - 03.jpg|Overview.
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The concession employs diverse techniques to mine oil shale, including ], longwall mining, and isolated galleries. The depth of the workings is approximately 100 meters.<ref name=":5" /> The concession employs diverse techniques to mine oil shale, including ], longwall mining, and isolated galleries. The depth of the workings is approximately 100 meters.<ref name=":5" />


At the beginning of the 21st century, the Saint-Georges pit still exhibited the ] and ] building that had been constructed at the outset of the 20th century.<ref>{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=6 (Appendix 7)}}</ref><gallery caption="'''Mining remnants'''"> At the beginning of the 21st century, the Saint-Georges pit still exhibited the ] and ] building that had been constructed at the outset of the 20th century.<ref>{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=6 (Appendix 7)}}</ref><gallery class="center" caption="'''Mining remnants'''">
File:2019-03 - Puits Saint-Georges (Saint-Léger-du-Bois) - 06.jpg|The Saint-Georges shaft windlass building. File:2019-03 - Puits Saint-Georges (Saint-Léger-du-Bois) - 06.jpg|The Saint-Georges shaft windlass building.
File:2019-03 - Puits Saint-Georges (Saint-Léger-du-Bois) - 01.jpg|Saint-Georges shaft slag heap. File:2019-03 - Puits Saint-Georges (Saint-Léger-du-Bois) - 01.jpg|Saint-Georges shaft slag heap.
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The concession mines oil shale by longwall mining and pillar removal in ], with underground workings reaching 75 meters in depth.<ref name=":5" /> The concession mines oil shale by longwall mining and pillar removal in ], with underground workings reaching 75 meters in depth.<ref name=":5" />


At the beginning of the 21st century, the slag heap and the location of the Champsigny pit remain.<ref name=":7">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=4 (Appendix 7)}}</ref><gallery caption="Mining remnants"> At the beginning of the 21st century, the slag heap and the location of the Champsigny pit remain.<ref name=":7">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=4 (Appendix 7)}}</ref><gallery class="center" caption="Mining remnants">
File:2019-04 - Puits de Champsigny - 06.jpg|Champsigny shaft. File:2019-04 - Puits de Champsigny - 06.jpg|Champsigny shaft.
File:2019-04 - Puits de Champsigny - 16.jpg|Champsigny shaft slag heap. File:2019-04 - Puits de Champsigny - 16.jpg|Champsigny shaft slag heap.
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=== Miens concession === === Miens concession ===
This concession mines oil shale through exploratory works, irregular galleries, and stripped or caved areas.<ref name=":5" /> The Ravelon mine was one of the primary exploitations of the deposit in the 1870s; it was subsequently abandoned following the {{Interlanguage link|French mobilization in 1914|lt=1914 mobilization|fr|Mobilisation française de 1914}}. The Muse and Miens plants were established in the 1870s and were highly active between 1883 and 1905. This concession mines oil shale through exploratory works, irregular galleries, and stripped or caved areas.<ref name=":5" /> The Ravelon mine was one of the primary exploitations of the deposit in the 1870s; it was subsequently abandoned following the {{Interlanguage link|French mobilization in 1914|lt=1914 mobilization|fr|Mobilisation française de 1914}}. The Muse and Miens plants were established in the 1870s and were highly active between 1883 and 1905.<ref name=":1" group="i">{{Cite journal |date=March 10, 2019 |title=Dracy-Saint-Loup aurait pu se nommer Dracy-les-Mines |url=https://www.lejsl.com/edition-autun/2019/03/10/dracy-saint-loup-aurait-pu-se-nommer-dracy-les-mines |journal=] |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416230248/https://www.lejsl.com/edition-autun/2019/03/10/dracy-saint-loup-aurait-pu-se-nommer-dracy-les-mines |archive-date=April 16, 2021}}</ref>


In the early years of the 21st century, a number of galleries<ref name=":7" /> and vestiges of the two original plants remained in situ. In the early years of the 21st century, a number of galleries<ref name=":7" /> and vestiges of the two original plants remained in situ.<ref name=":1" group="i" />


=== Comaille, Ruet, and Poisot concessions === === Comaille, Ruet, and Poisot concessions ===
These concessions mine oil shale in the commune of ] using the ] method, which is rarely stripped. The underground workings extend to a depth of 48 meters.<ref name=":5" /> During the nineteenth century, Tavernay was home to five shale plants. These were situated in Poizot, Bois de La Revenue, Pont Renault, La Marbre, and a substantial facility close to La Comaille. This latter plant employed up to 110 workers and ceased operations permanently in 1903. Most mines and plants remained operational for a mere twenty to thirty years. These concessions mine oil shale in the commune of ] using the ] method, which is rarely stripped. The underground workings extend to a depth of 48 meters.<ref name=":5" /> During the nineteenth century, Tavernay was home to five shale plants. These were situated in Poizot, Bois de La Revenue, Pont Renault, La Marbre, and a substantial facility close to La Comaille. This latter plant employed up to 110 workers and ceased operations permanently in 1903. Most mines and plants remained operational for a mere twenty to thirty years.<ref name=":0" group="i" />


At the beginning of the 21st century, the landscape still bore witness to the presence of several abandoned ] and mine pits.<ref>{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=|pages=5, 10 & 11 (Appendix 7)}}</ref><gallery caption="Remnants of the oil shale mines of Bois Saint-Romain"> At the beginning of the 21st century, the landscape still bore witness to the presence of several abandoned ] and mine pits.<ref>{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=|pages=5, 10 & 11 (Appendix 7)}}</ref><gallery class="center" caption="Remnants of the oil shale mines of Bois Saint-Romain">
File:2021-02 - Puits d'Esterno - 16.jpg|Esterno shaft. File:2021-02 - Puits d'Esterno - 16.jpg|Esterno shaft.
File:2021-02 - Puits d'Esterno - 03.jpg|Esterno shaft slag heap. File:2021-02 - Puits d'Esterno - 03.jpg|Esterno shaft slag heap.
File:2021-02 - Puits Guilloux - 15.jpg|Guilloux shaft. File:2021-02 - Puits Guilloux - 15.jpg|Guilloux shaft.
File:2021-02 - Puits Guilloux - 21.jpg|Guilloux shaft slag heap. File:2021-02 - Puits Guilloux - 21.jpg|Guilloux shaft slag heap.
</gallery><gallery caption="Remnants of the oil shale mines of Comaille"> </gallery><gallery class="center" caption="Remnants of the oil shale mines of Comaille">
File:2021-02 - Puits Sainte-Marie (Tavernay) - 02.jpg|Sainte-Marie shaft. File:2021-02 - Puits Sainte-Marie (Tavernay) - 02.jpg|Sainte-Marie shaft.
File:2021-02 - Puits du Pré Renaud - 27.jpg|Pré Renaud shaft. File:2021-02 - Puits du Pré Renaud - 27.jpg|Pré Renaud shaft.
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=== Igornay and Petite-Chaume concessions === === Igornay and Petite-Chaume concessions ===
The concessions mine oil shale in the commune of ] using the ] method. The underground workings extend to a depth of 60 meters.<ref name=":5" /> The concessions mine oil shale in the commune of ] using the ] method. The underground workings extend to a depth of 60 meters.<ref name=":5" />


At the beginning of the 21st century, the Selligue pit, {{Interlanguage link|Mining subsidence and collapse|lt=subsidence|fr|Affaissement et effondrement minier}}, and an ] remained in operation.<ref name=":8">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=7 (Appendix 7)|pages=}}</ref> At the beginning of the 21st century, the Selligue pit, {{Interlanguage link|Mining subsidence and collapse|lt=subsidence|fr|Affaissement et effondrement minier}}, and an ] remained in operation.<ref name=":8">{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=7 (Appendix 7)|pages=}}</ref>
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=== Ravelon concession === === Ravelon concession ===
This concession mines oil shale in the commune of ] using ] techniques. The underground workings extend to a depth of 100 meters.<ref name=":5" /> The Ravelon mine was one of the primary exploitations of the deposit during the 1870s; it was subsequently abandoned following the {{Interlanguage link|French mobilization in 1914|lt=1914 mobilization|fr|Mobilisation française de 1914}}. <gallery caption="'''Ravelon factory'''"> This concession mines oil shale in the commune of ] using ] techniques. The underground workings extend to a depth of 100 meters.<ref name=":5" /> The Ravelon mine was one of the primary exploitations of the deposit during the 1870s; it was subsequently abandoned following the {{Interlanguage link|French mobilization in 1914|lt=1914 mobilization|fr|Mobilisation française de 1914}}.<ref name=":1" group="i" /> <gallery class="center" caption="'''Ravelon factory'''">
File:1888 - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 01.jpg|Factory and headframe in 1888. File:1888 - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 01.jpg|Factory and headframe in 1888.
File:XXe - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 02.jpg|After 1900. File:XXe - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 02.jpg|After 1900.
File:XXe - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 03.jpg File:XXe - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 03.jpg
File:XXe - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 01.jpg File:XXe - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 01.jpg
</gallery>At the beginning of the 21st century, the ] of the plant and the outlet of the Vesvre incline remain in situ.<ref>{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=11 (Appendix 7)|pages=}}</ref><gallery caption="'''Ravelon slag heap'''"> </gallery>At the beginning of the 21st century, the ] of the plant and the outlet of the Vesvre incline remain in situ.<ref>{{Harvsp|Le Goff|2013d|p=11 (Appendix 7)|pages=}}</ref><gallery class="center" caption="'''Ravelon slag heap'''">
File:2021-02 - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 26.jpg|Overview. File:2021-02 - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 26.jpg|Overview.
File:2021-02 - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 25.jpg File:2021-02 - Usine de schiste bitumineux de Ravelon - 25.jpg
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== Production and reserves == == Production and reserves ==
The total estimated production of the deposit is 13 million tons of ].<ref name=":4" /> The total estimated production of the deposit is 13 million tons of ].<ref name=":4" />


In the early ], studies conducted by Pascal Martaud for the ] revealed the existence of significant ],<ref>{{Harvsp|Passaqui|Bellenfant|2010|p=9|pages=|page=}}</ref> estimated to be between 20 and 30 million tons. The deposit covers an area of 240 km².<ref name=":1" group="o" /> In the early ], studies conducted by Pascal Martaud for the ] revealed the existence of significant ],<ref>{{Harvsp|Passaqui|Bellenfant|2010|p=9|pages=|page=}}</ref> estimated to be between 20 and 30 million tons. The deposit covers an area of 240 km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=":1" />


== See also == == See also ==
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== Bibliography == == Bibliography ==


* {{Cite book |last=Feys |first=R |url=http://infoterre.brgm.fr/rapports/BRGG-A0068.pdf |title=Puits et sondage dans le bassin d'Autun et Epinac, des origines à nos jours |date=1945 |publisher=] |language=fr |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Finfoterre.brgm.fr%2Frapports%2FBRGG-A0068.pdf |archive-date=July 24, 2024}} * {{Cite book |last=Feys |first=R |url=http://infoterre.brgm.fr/rapports/BRGG-A0068.pdf |title=Puits et sondage dans le bassin d'Autun et Epinac, des origines à nos jours |date=1945 |publisher=] |language=fr |trans-title=Wells and boreholes in the Autun and Epinac basin, from the origins to the present day |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412131105/http://infoterre.brgm.fr/rapports/BRGG-A0068.pdf |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |url-status=bot: unknown}}
* {{Cite book |last=Passaqui |first=Jean-Philippe |title=Les routes de l'énergie : Epinac, Autun, Morvan |last2=Chabard |first2=Dominique |date=2007 |publisher=] |language=fr}} * {{Cite book |last1=Passaqui |first1=Jean-Philippe |title=Les routes de l'énergie : Epinac, Autun, Morvan |last2=Chabard |first2=Dominique |date=2007 |publisher=Autun Natural History Museum |language=fr |trans-title=Energy routes: Epinac, Autun, Morvan}}
* {{Cite book |last=Passaqui |first=Jean-Philippe |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821003819/http://www.bourgogne-nature.fr/fichiers/bn12-3-9-telots_1390841955.pdf |title=Les Télots : une usine devenue friche industrielle aux portes d’Autun |last2=Bellenfant |first2=Sylvain |date=2010 |publisher=Bourgogne-Nature |language=fr}} * {{Cite book |last1=Passaqui |first1=Jean-Philippe |url=http://www.bourgogne-nature.fr/fichiers/bn12-3-9-telots_1390841955.pdf |title=Les Télots : une usine devenue friche industrielle aux portes d'Autun |last2=Bellenfant |first2=Sylvain |date=2010 |publisher=Bourgogne-Nature |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821003819/http://www.bourgogne-nature.fr/fichiers/bn12-3-9-telots_1390841955.pdf |archive-date=2017-08-21 |language=fr |trans-title=Les Télots: a factory turned industrial wasteland on the outskirts of Autun}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gand |first=Georges |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810205835/http://www.bourgogne-nature.fr/fichiers/bn12-10-29-muse_1364396735.pdf |title=Reprise de fouilles paléontologiques dans un gîte bourguignon célèbre : les « schistes bitumineux » de l’Autunien de Muse (Bassin d’Autun) : Bilan 2010 et perspectives |date=2010 |publisher=Bourgogne-Naturef |language=fr}} * {{Cite book |last=Gand |first=Georges |url=http://www.bourgogne-nature.fr/fichiers/bn12-10-29-muse_1364396735.pdf |title=Reprise de fouilles paléontologiques dans un gîte bourguignon célèbre : les « schistes bitumineux » de l'Autunien de Muse (Bassin d'Autun) : Bilan 2010 et perspectives |date=2010 |publisher=Bourgogne-Naturef |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810205835/http://www.bourgogne-nature.fr/fichiers/bn12-10-29-muse_1364396735.pdf |archive-date=2018-08-10 |language=fr |trans-title=Resumption of paleontological excavations in a famous Burgundy deposit: the “bituminous schists” of the Muse Autunian (Autun Basin): 2010 report and outlook}}
* {{Cite book |last=Le Goff |first=J |title=Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay |date=2013a |publisher=Géoderis |volume=1 |language=fr}} * {{Cite book |last=Le Goff |first=J |title=Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay |date=2013a |publisher=Géoderis |volume=1 |language=fr |trans-title=Study of mining hazards in the Autun basin, Burgundy (71) (hard coal, bituminous shale and fluorite mining): Communes of Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully and Tavernay.}}
* {{Cite book |last=Le Goff |first=J |title=Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay |date=2013b |publisher=Géoderis |volume=2 |language=fr}} * {{Cite book |last=Le Goff |first=J |title=Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay |date=2013b |publisher=Géoderis |volume=2 |language=fr |trans-title=Study of mining hazards in the Autun basin, Burgundy (71) (hard coal, bituminous shale and fluorite mining): Communes of Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully and Tavernay.}}
* {{Cite book |last=Le Goff |first=J |title=Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay |date=2013c |publisher=Géoderis |volume=3 |language=fr}} * {{Cite book |last=Le Goff |first=J |title=Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay |date=2013c |publisher=Géoderis |volume=3 |language=fr |trans-title=Study of mining hazards in the Autun basin, Burgundy (71) (hard coal, bituminous shale and fluorite mining): Communes of Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully and Tavernay.}}
* {{Cite book |last=Le Goff |first=J |title=Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay |date=2013d |publisher=Géoderis |volume=4 |language=fr}} * {{Cite book |last=Le Goff |first=J |title=Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay |date=2013d |publisher=Géoderis |volume=4 |language=fr |trans-title=Study of mining hazards in the Autun basin, Burgundy (71) (hard coal, bituminous shale and fluorite mining): Communes of Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully and Tavernay.}}


== External links == == External links ==


* {{Cite web |title=Histoire des mines de schiste |url=https://www.mairie-saint-forgeot.fr/Histoire-et-patrimoine.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mairie-saint-forgeot.fr%2FHistoire-et-patrimoine.aspx#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |website=mairie-saint-forgeot.fr |language=fr}} * {{Cite web |title=Histoire des mines de schiste |url=https://www.mairie-saint-forgeot.fr/Histoire-et-patrimoine.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418035649/http://www.mairie-saint-forgeot.fr/Histoire-et-patrimoine.aspx#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |website=mairie-saint-forgeot.fr |language=fr |access-date=July 25, 2024 |url-status=bot: unknown }}
{{Portal|Geology {{Portal|Geology}}

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Latest revision as of 21:02, 20 December 2024

Sedimentary basin containing oil shale in Autun, France.
Location of the deposit on the map of France.

The Autun oil shale deposit is a sedimentary basin containing oil shale of the Autunian age (between 299 and 282 million years old) in the vicinity of Autun in Saône-et-Loire, in the center-east of France.

The extraction of the shale commenced in 1824 at Igornay. Oil shale production began as early as 1837 for public lighting [fr] purposes, with facilities undergoing continuous improvement to diversify production. The largest of these facilities was the Télots mine, which was equipped with a refinery in 1936 and employed several hundred workers to produce automobile fuel. This mine was the last to close in 1957. The total production of the deposit is estimated at 13 million tons.

The vestiges of this industrial activity, in the form of ruins and slag heaps, persist in the early 21st century, particularly in the villages of Dracy-Saint-Loup, Saint-Forgeot, and Tavernay.

Location

Map of Saône-et-Loire communes, showing the extent of the deposit in black and the Télots mine in red.

The deposit is situated in a valley in the Morvan, spanning the territories of the communes of Autun, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, Saint-Forgeot, Tavernay, and other neighboring communes in the north of the Saône-et-Loire department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in the Grand Est of France [fr].

The sedimentary basin is an underground depression with an east-west orientation, measuring approximately 30 km in length and reaching a maximum width of 12 km.

The Autun basin is in direct proximity to the Épinac coal basin. The two deposits have a significant degree of overlap and are even jointly exploited in the communes of Sully and Saint-Léger-du-Bois.

Geology

The Autun oil shale deposit has lent its name to the geological period during which it was formed, the Autunian, which spans between -299 and -282 million years ago. The deposit measures 1.3 km in thickness and has never been fully traversed. The deepest shaft, La Brasserie, reaches a depth of 463 meters. The oil shale layers are interspersed with fine detrital sediments, including limestone. The layers form lenses whose thickness and quality vary greatly. The deposit is based on the Stephanian coal foundation of Épinac.

The basin is divided into two stratigraphic units, which are subdivided into two beds:

  • Lower Autunian:
    • The Igornay bed is situated directly on the Moloy (Saint-Léger-du-Bois) coal terrain. It has a thickness ranging from 150 to 230 meters, comprising alternating layers of bituminous and non-bituminous coal, overlain by a substantial sandstone layer.
    • The Muse bed is 400 meters in thickness and includes bituminous layers, namely the Laly and Muse layers.
  • Upper Autunian:
    • The Surmoulin bed (Dracy-Saint-Loup) has a thickness of 250 meters and comprises, in its lower portion, the extensive Surmoulin oil shale layer.
    • The Millery bed (Saint-Forgeot) is 250 meters in length and consists of shale intermingled with detrital rock. It contains ten layers of bitumen, which have been significantly mined at the Télots mine. The upper layer is composed of boghead, a type of bituminous coal.

History

The deposit was initially identified in 1813 at Igornay, and extraction commenced in 1824 within this commune. The industrial production of oil shale began in 1837 for public lighting [fr] in several major cities, including Paris, Lyon, Dijon, and Strasbourg. To extract the oil, the shale is crushed and then heated to a temperature between 450 and 500 °C in a confined, airless space. The escaping vapor is then condensed to obtain a liquid material similar to petroleum. Despite facing competition from coal gas in 1847, the production of Autun lamp oil rebounded quickly.

1864 and 1865 represented a period of peak profitability for shareholders, with a 30% return on investment. In 1865, approximately 6,700 tons of oil were extracted from oil shales, utilizing approximately twenty extraction sites and sixteen processing plants.

Towards the conclusion of the nineteenth century, shale was extracted at depths reaching 300 meters below the surface. The advent of competition from American and Russian oil in 1870 led to the demise of several concessions. In 1881, the Société Lyonnaise des Schistes Bitumineux (SLSB) purchased several remaining concessions to restart production with new private capital and state aid. This resulted in the company obtaining a monopoly in 1891. Surface installations were progressively completed from 1840 to 1870, particularly for the production of oil, paraffin, sulfates, and ammonia. However, the latter products were abandoned after World War I.

In 1892, the state implemented a reduction in customs duties on imported oils, thereby enhancing their competitive position vis-à-vis Autun oil shale. To offset this, premiums were introduced, enabling the modernization of installations and a 30% increase in crude oil yield. After the 1914 mobilization [fr], the mines and factories of Ravelon (Dracy-Saint-Loup) and Margenne (Monthelon) were compelled to cease operations. The exploitation of the oil shale deposits was concentrated at the Télots and Surmoulin sites, in the Dracy-Saint-Loup region. In 1933, a legislative measure was enacted that granted tax exemption for fuels derived from oil shale, thereby opening up new avenues for exploration. The implementation of social reforms by the Popular Front in 1936 led to a reduction in the profitability of the SLSB. A new company, the Société Minière des Schistes Bitumineux (SMSB), was established with financial backing from Pechelbronn SAEM [fr]. The managers were committed to increasing production sixfold, to extract 3,000 tons of shale per day and distill 5,000 m of hydrocarbons per month. However, these goals were abandoned after Liberation was unattainable. During Reconstruction [fr], mechanization was employed to maintain production at 300,000 tons of shale extracted per year, with yields superior to those of most coal mines.

The cessation of activity at Télots was prompted by two key factors: the emergence of liquid petroleum as a more lucrative alternative and the termination of state subsidies. These developments led to the dissolution of the SMSB on December 11, 1958.

Concessions

Concessions for the Autun shale deposit.  Mining areas  Areas mined by the Télots mine  Autun conurbation  Concession limits  Communal boundaries
List of 21 concessions
Name Surface Institution
Igornay 522 July 29, 1841
Millery 522 July 11, 1843
Surmoulin 1068 November 4, 1843
Dracy-Saint-Loup 398 November 4, 1843
Saint-Léger-du-Bois 515 February 14, 1846
Comaille 331 August 31, 1845
Petite-Chaume 280 July 25, 1855
Poisot 638 December 17, 1856
Chambois 1130 July 27, 1859
Ruet 810 October 21, 1861
Abots 305 May 8, 1862
Chevigny 304 July 25, 1864
Ravelon 610 August 1, 1864
Lally [fr] 278 December 4, 1864
Saint-Forgeot 364 February 18, 1865
Télots 518 April 22, 1865
Hauterive 518 August 20, 1865
Margenne 243 February 6, 1877
Curgy 327 ?
Champsigny [fr] 113 ?
Miens 486 ?

Concessions of Abots and Dracy-Saint-Loup

The two concessions in question engage exclusively in the exploitation of oil shale within the commune of Dracy-Saint-Loup, utilizing the techniques of room and pillar mining. The depth of the underground workings is approximately fifty meters.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the slag heap of the plant and the flooded access trench of the Duverne incline remain in situ.

  • The Duverne incline
  • Flooded access trench. Flooded access trench.
  • Slag heap. Slag heap.
  • Detail. Detail.

Cerveau concession

This concession is for the exclusive extraction of oil shale in Curgy, using cross-cut galleries. The underground workings do not exceed a depth of 18 meters.

At the beginning of the 21st century, some subsidence [fr] was still taking place at mine access.

Chambois concession

This concession is distinct from the others in that it exclusively mines coal in the commune of Tavernay using room and pillar mining and partial backfilling techniques. The underground workings reach an 82-meter depth, with the coal pits located in Chambois, Saint-Romain (two pits), and Polroy. These pits were exploited in the 19th century.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the site was still characterized by the presence of slag heaps and a sunken pit.

  • Remains of the Chambois coal mines
  • Shaft No. 5 between the two trunks. Shaft No. 5 between the two trunks.
  • The slag heap at shaft No. 5. The slag heap at shaft No. 5.
  • The Saint-Georges slag heap. The Saint-Georges slag heap.

Millery, Saint-Forgeot, Surmoulin, and Télots concession

See also: Les Télots Mine

The concession for the extraction of oil shale was granted in 1865. The extraction is carried out exclusively in the commune of Saint-Forgeot using various methods, including room and pillar mining, longwall mining, and caving. The workings extend to a depth of approximately 100 meters. In 1936, a refinery was constructed to complement the petroleum distillation plant, employing several hundred workers in the production of automotive fuel. During the Occupation, this site was of strategic importance to the German army, which monitored it. In response, the local resistance and the Allies (notably the Scullion raids [fr]) conducted minor sabotage acts. In retaliation, five workers were executed by the militia.

  • The headframe of an extraction shaft. The headframe of an extraction shaft.
  • Shale preparation. Shale preparation.
  • Crushing and stockpiling. Crushing and stockpiling.
  • Overview. Overview.

Following the site's closure in 1957, it was dismantled and partially demolished. At the beginning of the 21st century, the landscape was marked by the site remains, including ruins and two large slag heaps. These had become overrun by distinctive vegetation, which has been studied for its biodiversity. The site is recognized as a natural area of ecological, faunistic, and floristic interest (ZNIEFF).

  • The mining remnants of Télots
  • Two slag heaps. Two slag heaps.
  • General aerial view. General aerial view.
  • Water tank. Water tank.
  • Crusher. Crusher.
  • Downhill machinery. Downhill machinery.

The Millery incline is linked to the workings of Télots via the tenth layer. At the beginning of the 21st century, the backfilled entrance and the windlass building were still visible.

  • The Millery yard
  • Windlass. Windlass.
  • Overview. Overview.
  • Backfilled entrance. Backfilled entrance.
  • The entrance with the Télots slag heaps in the background. The entrance with the Télots slag heaps in the background.

Moloy, Grand-Moloy, and Saint-Léger-du-Bois concession

The Saint-Georges shaft, disused after 1900.

The concession employs diverse techniques to mine oil shale, including room and pillar mining, longwall mining, and isolated galleries. The depth of the workings is approximately 100 meters.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Saint-Georges pit still exhibited the slag heap and windlass building that had been constructed at the outset of the 20th century.

  • Mining remnants
  • The Saint-Georges shaft windlass building. The Saint-Georges shaft windlass building.
  • Saint-Georges shaft slag heap. Saint-Georges shaft slag heap.
  • Detail. Detail.

Champsigny and Lally soncession

The concession mines oil shale by longwall mining and pillar removal in Saint-Léger-du-Bois, with underground workings reaching 75 meters in depth.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the slag heap and the location of the Champsigny pit remain.

  • Mining remnants
  • Champsigny shaft. Champsigny shaft.
  • Champsigny shaft slag heap. Champsigny shaft slag heap.
  • Overview of slag heap and shaft. Overview of slag heap and shaft.

Chevigny concession

The concession in question mines oil shale in the commune of Tavernay using the room and pillar mining method. The depth of the underground workings is 80 meters.

Miens concession

This concession mines oil shale through exploratory works, irregular galleries, and stripped or caved areas. The Ravelon mine was one of the primary exploitations of the deposit in the 1870s; it was subsequently abandoned following the 1914 mobilization [fr]. The Muse and Miens plants were established in the 1870s and were highly active between 1883 and 1905.

In the early years of the 21st century, a number of galleries and vestiges of the two original plants remained in situ.

Comaille, Ruet, and Poisot concessions

These concessions mine oil shale in the commune of Tavernay using the room and pillar mining method, which is rarely stripped. The underground workings extend to a depth of 48 meters. During the nineteenth century, Tavernay was home to five shale plants. These were situated in Poizot, Bois de La Revenue, Pont Renault, La Marbre, and a substantial facility close to La Comaille. This latter plant employed up to 110 workers and ceased operations permanently in 1903. Most mines and plants remained operational for a mere twenty to thirty years.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the landscape still bore witness to the presence of several abandoned slag heaps and mine pits.

  • Remnants of the oil shale mines of Bois Saint-Romain
  • Esterno shaft. Esterno shaft.
  • Esterno shaft slag heap. Esterno shaft slag heap.
  • Guilloux shaft. Guilloux shaft.
  • Guilloux shaft slag heap. Guilloux shaft slag heap.
  • Remnants of the oil shale mines of Comaille
  • Sainte-Marie shaft. Sainte-Marie shaft.
  • Pré Renaud shaft. Pré Renaud shaft.
  • The Pré Renaud slag heap. The Pré Renaud slag heap.
  • Shaft No. III and its slag heap. Shaft No. III and its slag heap.

Igornay and Petite-Chaume concessions

The concessions mine oil shale in the commune of Igornay using the room and pillar mining method. The underground workings extend to a depth of 60 meters.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Selligue pit, subsidence [fr], and an open-pit mine remained in operation.

Margenne concession

This concession mines oil shale in the commune of Monthelon with longwall mining and backfilling. The underground workings reach a depth of 110 meters.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Castillion house, a worker's lodging, remains.

Margenne factory

Ravelon concession

This concession mines oil shale in the commune of Dracy-Saint-Loup using room and pillar mining techniques. The underground workings extend to a depth of 100 meters. The Ravelon mine was one of the primary exploitations of the deposit during the 1870s; it was subsequently abandoned following the 1914 mobilization [fr].

  • Ravelon factory
  • Factory and headframe in 1888. Factory and headframe in 1888.
  • After 1900. After 1900.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the slag heap of the plant and the outlet of the Vesvre incline remain in situ.

  • Ravelon slag heap
  • Overview. Overview.
  • Rock detail. Rock detail.
  • Distant view. Distant view.

Production and reserves

The total estimated production of the deposit is 13 million tons of oil shale.

In the early 1980s, studies conducted by Pascal Martaud for the BRGM revealed the existence of significant reserves, estimated to be between 20 and 30 million tons. The deposit covers an area of 240 km.

See also

References

  • Works in bibliography
  1. ^ Le Goff 2013a, p. 9
  2. ^ Le Goff 2013a, p. 11
  3. Gand 2010
  4. ^ Le Goff 2013a, p. 12
  5. ^ Feys 1945, pp. 16–17
  6. ^ Le Goff 2013a, p. 17
  7. Feys 1945, pp. 20–21
  8. ^ Le Goff 2013a, pp. 20–21
  9. ^ Le Goff 2013d, p. 3 (Appendix 7)
  10. Le Goff 2013d, p. 9 (Appendix 7)
  11. Le Goff 2013d, p. 6 (Appendix 7)
  12. ^ Le Goff 2013d, p. 4 (Appendix 7)
  13. Le Goff 2013d, pp. 5, 10 & 11 (Appendix 7)
  14. ^ Le Goff 2013d, p. 7 (Appendix 7)
  15. Le Goff 2013d, p. 11 (Appendix 7)
  16. Passaqui & Bellenfant 2010, p. 9
  • Other works
  1. Lecomte, Bernard (2013). La Bourgogne Pour les Nuls (in French). Deux mystérieux terrils à l'entrée d'Autun. ISBN 978-2-7540-5487-4. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024.
  2. Miot, Gilles. "L'exploitation de schiste bitumineux dans l'Autunois : La mine et l'usine des Télots" (PDF). Recherches des étudiants (in French). Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. Taupenot, Lucien (2006). "Quand le pétrole autunois éclairait Paris, Lyon, Dijon, Strasbourg". Images de Saône-et-Loire (in French) (145): 2 & 3.
  4. Foot, Michael R D; Crémieux-Brilhac, Jean-Louis (2013). Des anglais dans la résistance. Le SOE en France, 1940-1944 (in French). Tallandier. ISBN 979-1-02100-194-7. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021.
  • Online works
  1. CCCA d'après Gilles Pacaud. "Quel avenir pour les schistes bitumineux ?". gensdumorvan.fr (in French). Archived from the original on January 3, 2022.
  2. "Les Houillères de Blanzy en Bourgogne : Mine de schiste bitumineux des Télots - Autun / Saint-Forgeot". patrimoine-minier.fr (in French). Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. "Les Houillères de Blanzy : Mine des Télots". exxplore.fr (in French). Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. Bonnard, Lilian (October 14, 2013). "Gaz de schiste et si on rouvrait la mine d'Autun ?". miroir-mag.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 2017-05-30.
  5. ^ "Le fort passé minier de Tavernay". agri71.fr (in French). May 28, 2018. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021.
  6. "ZNIEFF 260030145 - Les Télots à Saint-Forgeot". INPN (in French). Archived from the original on April 23, 2021.
  7. ^ "Dracy-Saint-Loup aurait pu se nommer Dracy-les-Mines". Le Journal de Saône-et-Loire (in French). March 10, 2019. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021.

Bibliography

  • Feys, R (1945). Puits et sondage dans le bassin d'Autun et Epinac, des origines à nos jours [Wells and boreholes in the Autun and Epinac basin, from the origins to the present day] (PDF) (in French). BRGM. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  • Passaqui, Jean-Philippe; Chabard, Dominique (2007). Les routes de l'énergie : Epinac, Autun, Morvan [Energy routes: Epinac, Autun, Morvan] (in French). Autun Natural History Museum.
  • Passaqui, Jean-Philippe; Bellenfant, Sylvain (2010). Les Télots : une usine devenue friche industrielle aux portes d'Autun [Les Télots: a factory turned industrial wasteland on the outskirts of Autun] (PDF) (in French). Bourgogne-Nature. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-21.
  • Gand, Georges (2010). Reprise de fouilles paléontologiques dans un gîte bourguignon célèbre : les « schistes bitumineux » de l'Autunien de Muse (Bassin d'Autun) : Bilan 2010 et perspectives [Resumption of paleontological excavations in a famous Burgundy deposit: the “bituminous schists” of the Muse Autunian (Autun Basin): 2010 report and outlook] (PDF) (in French). Bourgogne-Naturef. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-08-10.
  • Le Goff, J (2013a). Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay [Study of mining hazards in the Autun basin, Burgundy (71) (hard coal, bituminous shale and fluorite mining): Communes of Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully and Tavernay.] (in French). Vol. 1. Géoderis.
  • Le Goff, J (2013b). Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay [Study of mining hazards in the Autun basin, Burgundy (71) (hard coal, bituminous shale and fluorite mining): Communes of Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully and Tavernay.] (in French). Vol. 2. Géoderis.
  • Le Goff, J (2013c). Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay [Study of mining hazards in the Autun basin, Burgundy (71) (hard coal, bituminous shale and fluorite mining): Communes of Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully and Tavernay.] (in French). Vol. 3. Géoderis.
  • Le Goff, J (2013d). Etude des aléas miniers dans le bassin d'Autun, Bourgogne (71) (exploitations de houille, schistes bitumineux et fluorine) : Communes de Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully et Tavernay [Study of mining hazards in the Autun basin, Burgundy (71) (hard coal, bituminous shale and fluorite mining): Communes of Autun, Barnay, Cordesse, Curgy, Dracy-Saint-Loup, Igornay, La Celle en Morvan, Monthelon, La Grande Verrière, La Petite Verrière, Reclesne, Saint Forgeot, Saint Léger du Bois, Sully and Tavernay.] (in French). Vol. 4. Géoderis.

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