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Lontzen

Oskar Tunnel (Oskarstollen)

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Oskar Tunnel (Oskarstollen)

Highlight • Historical Site

Oskar Tunnel (Oskarstollen)

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    Best Hikes to Oskar Tunnel (Oskarstollen)

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    1. Oskar Tunnel (Oskarstollen) – Casino Pond loop from Hergenrath

    10.8km

    02:55

    130m

    130m

    Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Moderate

    Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Moderate

    Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Hard

    Tips

    November 9, 2021

    The Oskar Gallery is part of the region's historic mining operation. It is 500 meters long. The ore mined in the “Schmalgraf” mine was transported through this tunnel to the processing plant.

    Translated by Google •

      The Schmalgraf lead-zinc deposit, the deepest Belgian metal mine (290 m deep), was discovered in 1858 at the "Klouster shaft". It is located about 2,500 m southwest of the Altenberg mine (La Calamine).

      Exploration began in 1867 after a 500 m long horizontal drainage tunnel (Oskar tunnel) was excavated between the ore deposit (at a depth of 42 m) and the Hohnbach Valley.

      The ores were transported from -42 m through the Oskar tunnel directly to the washing plant of the Vieille-Montagne zinc factory of the Altenberg mine. This transport took place on a narrow-gauge railway on the banks of the Hohnbach.
      The mine was closed in 1932 due to profound mining problems and a depressed overall economic situation.

      The mine had two main shafts, a transport and a pump shaft at a height of -132 m.
      In addition, there were three adjacent shafts (260 m west of the first side) for transport, pumping and cables, as well as 2 ventilation shafts. The first of these ventilation shafts went to -132 m and the second to -290 m with built-in fan to -42 m.
      Most important was the horizontal exit at -42m (Oskar tunnel) for the ore discharge.

      The mine had several levels: -42m, -92m, -132m, -155m, -210m, -255m and -290m.

      30 people were employed above ground, 120 miners worked underground.

      Translated by Google •

        May 10, 2022

        A tunnel through which the ore was transported from the mine in the past... Now a habitat for bats...

        Translated by Google •

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          Elevation 250 m

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          Location: Lontzen, Verviers, Liège, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

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