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Ronchamp coal mines

Logo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

The Ronchamp coal mines were an area of coal mines located in the Vosges and Jura coal mining basins, in eastern France. They covered three municipalities; Ronchamp, Champagney and Magny-Danigon. Operated for more than two centuries, from the mid-eighteenth century until the mid-twentieth century, they have profoundly changed the landscape, the economy and the local population.2 It was founded in 1854.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1854Founded1
  • Industrymining of hard coal1
  • HeadquartersMulhouse1
  • Legal formsociété anonyme1

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Houillères de Ronchamp - Installations de surface 1820-1920
Photo: Jacques Rothmüller, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons5

The Ronchamp coal mines were an area of coal mines located in the Vosges and Jura coal mining basins, in eastern France. They covered three municipalities; Ronchamp, Champagney and Magny-Danigon. Operated for more than two centuries, from the mid-eighteenth century until the mid-twentieth century, they have profoundly changed the landscape, the economy and the local population.2

The story

Beginning

Coal deposits were discovered in Ronchamp in the mid-18th century. Mining activity was a complementary resource for a population whose main occupation was agriculture. In 1744, two exploration galleries and various surface excavations were dug, but these works were unofficial. In 1749, the lord of Gensanne, owner of mines in Plancher-les-Mines and several mines in Alsace, sent a piece of coal to a laboratory in Besançon for analysis. It was in 1751 that several applicants for exploitation came forward. Among them, two local industrialists: the lord of Gensanne and François Guy, owner of a large forge in Magny-Vernois. In the end, none of them obtained a concession.

Two concessions were finally granted in 1757, the concession of the lords of Ronchamp in Ronchamp, granted on September 11, 1757, and the concession of the prince-abbots of Lure in Champagney, granted on April 21, 1757.

The decree of September 24, 1768 granted the barons of Ronchamp and associates the exclusive exploitation, for a period of about thirty years, of all the coal mines that are located within the extent of the barony of Ronchamp. The two concessions became one, and they were operated at common expense by the two concessionaires, who requested a single concession. This was granted by the decree of March 1, 1763.

From Wikipedia’s article on Ronchamp coal mines, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Timeline

  1. 1854Founded Founded1

Sources

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