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| Mineral techniques at Sainte-Marie-Aux-Mines during the Rennaissance Period |
by Frédéric LATASSE
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Ventilation :
Ventilation was one of the miners'main concerns. Once they had dug further than 100 metres or so, the lack of oxygen would make it almost impossible for them to work. However, as of the 16th century, the miners began to install a number of ingenious artificial ventilation systems to rid themselves of this bane. One particularly favoured method was the creation of a false ceiling at the top of each gallery.
The principle of ventilation was very simple : by linking the gallery to a surface-shaft (which was usually a few metres from the entrance) a draught would be created as a result of the difference between the outside temperature and the temperature in the mine (generally around 9°). By channelling this draught into the mine using a wooden false ceiling, the miners could work in well ventilated conditions, even in the most remote parts of the mine.
The only discernible traces that remain of these ceilings are tiny beam slots and trails of clay (which kept the workface watertight at ceiling level). (see illustration).
The only discernible traces that remain of these ceilings are tiny beam slots and trails of clay (which kept the workface watertight at ceiling level). The other main reason for the cessation of mining was the problem of water drainage. The most common way of solving this problem was to simply channel the water, in a rivulet, along the gallery floor towards the exit.
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Click on the picture for a larger image
Système d'aérage en boucle: ciculation de l'air en hiver
F.LATASSE |
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However, when these rivulets were not sufficient for channelling the water during larger mining operations, the miners would automatically dig drainage galleries (Erbstollen) instead. These were sometimes incredibly long (at Fertrupt, the Erbstollen was 8 kilometres), could take several decades to dig and would generally have the valley floor as their starting point.
Whenever mines went deep under the valley or were not linked to Erbstollen, the miners would have to resort to artificial drainage systems. When there was only a small amount of water involved, crude hand-pumps were used to drain the interior digs and the water was subsequently winched to the surface in wineskins.
However, in very deep mines (up to 300 metres beneath the valley), piston pumps were sometimes needed. These were powered by hydraulic wheels (Kunstrad) and placed either at the shaft entrance or in underground chambers on the same level as the Erbstollen. Although actual examination of these drainage systems on site remains impossible due to their inaccessibility, iconographical illustrations and archives have proved their existence. By all accounts, the principle of draining water using water is the perfect illustration of the 16th century miners' technical excellence and ingenuity.
The district of Sainte-Marie-Aux-Mines is undoubtedly one of the best examples of polymetallic mines in the former Germanic Mining Province and shows the extent to which the "Technological Revolution" of the Renaissance period improved working conditions in the mines. The area is still a favourite haunt for the study of historical mining techniques due to our excellently preserved and easily accessible mines.
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| Last update : 06.19.2007 |
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