Le Chardonnet graphite mines

The Chardonnet mine is one of the few graphite mines in France. Situated at an altitude of 2600m, with no road access and no real means of transport, it was mainly exploited by the valley's inhabitants from 1907 to 1937.
Graphite dates from the Carboniferous age (300,000 million years ago), and is derived from coal by metamorphism: the transformation of coal under the effect of high pressure and temperature, probably during episodes of lava upwelling within ancient massifs.

Graphite was mainly used in the manufacture of pencil leads and for electric motor coals.

Mining began in 1824 with rudimentary equipment: shovels, baskets and wheelbarrows. From 1909 onwards, mining became more extensive, with the installation of winches and the use of perforating machines and pumps. The mine was accessible only on foot, but the ore was transported by wagon to the Guisane valley by cable. The mine was equipped with electricity and barracks.

The electricity poles can still be seen, and at the entrance to the main gallery, the cable wheel was used to transport wagons to the Guisane valley.

The remains of this mine now belong to the commune of Monetier les Bains, which secured the site following an inventory by BRGM (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières).

For further information, please visit the Société Géologique et Minière du Briançonnais website.