The origins of coal mining date back to September 30, 1822, when the coal concession was granted by a Dutch royal decree from William I to a certain Eulalie Desmanet de Biesme, née Propper de Hun. Said Eulalie had inherited from Baron Jean-Baptiste de Cazier, among other things, two woods, respectively named Bonbois and Hublinbut, located in the commune of Marcinelle, as well as the coal they could contain. The latter, who died childless in 1812, had bequeathed his property to Mme Desmanet, family by marriage, and to a nephew, René-Albert de Cazier. They shared the inheritance by a notarial deed dated May 1, 1813. The woods took the name of "Bois De Cazier", in memory of the baron. It is perhaps following a transcription error that “de Cazier” became “du Cazier”.
On February 11, 1861, a company was incorporated under the name of their owners “Tournay, de Decker, Brichart et Cie” which became, on August 5, 1874, the Société anonyme du Charcoal du Bois de Cazier. The concession, although profitable, was abandoned in 1898, due to numerous releases of firedamp.
On February 4, 1899, the concession was bought by S.A. des Charbonnages d'Amercoeur and operated by the Société Anonyme du Charbonnage du Bois du Cazier.
In 1904, the Bois du Cazier and Marcinelle-Sud concessions were combined; on April 26, 1910, the Bois du Prince concession extended the area operated by the company. On November 13, 1922, two extensions were granted, bringing the area exploited to 875 ha. Two wells were dug there at the beginning of the 20th century. A third well at 1,175 meters, called "Foraky", dug in 1954, was still being dug during the 1956 disaster.
Operations resume eight months after the tragedy. The company was put into liquidation on January 15, 1961. In 1963, the operation of the Bois du Cazier was partially reinstated to close it definitively on December 9, 1967
Translated by Google •
In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!