Challand-Saint-Anselme Mines of Bechaz

The Mines of the Challand Valley: A Journey into the Mining History of the Ayas Valley Discover the rich mining history of the Challand Valley, a fascinating chapter in the industrial past of the Ayas Valley.
From ancient times to the present day, mines in this area have played a crucial role in economic and cultural development, extracting gold, copper, lead, silver, and other precious minerals.
An Ancient Mining Tradition Origins and Historical Developments Although the earliest documented records of mining in the Challand Valley date back to the 13th century, it is presumable that mining was already in use in earlier times.
Mines in the Arbaz area, in particular, saw their first documented exploitation in the late 16th century by German mining companies.
The Golden Age of Mining One of the most prosperous periods for local mines began in the 18th century.
In 1752, state operation of the mines was initiated, marking an era of intense activity due to the discovery of native gold flakes in the Bouchey lode.
However, despite the efforts, this phase did not bring the hoped-for economic benefits due to the discontinuity of the finds.
The Gold Mining Boom The Intense Exploitation of the 20th Century Between 1898 and 1911, gold mines in the Arbaz area saw intense mining activity.
Initially operated by a Swiss company and later by a British company, these mines became an important center of gold production.
Mining was then resumed in 1937 and continued, albeit irregularly, until 1984.
Diversity of Minerals Extracted The mining district of the lower Ayas Valley is known for the variety of minerals extracted, including iron, copper, lead, and zinc.
These sites have produced minerals such as auriferous pyrite, tetrahedrite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotrine, and sphalerite, contributing significantly to the local economy.
Visiting the Ancient Mines Today Tourism and Conservation Today, the ancient mines of Challand are a fascinating destination for cultural and historical tourism.
Guided tours offer the opportunity to explore these historic structures, understand the mining methods of the past, and appreciate the hard work of the miners who dug into the bowels of the earth.