Les Rats Mine slag dumps

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Le Crozet, Roanne, Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Déblais de scories de la mine du Crozet-La Pacaudière

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Key Information

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  • Le Crozet, in the Loire department of Auvergne-Rhônes-Alpes, France, is a medieval village known for the Les Rats Mine slag dumps, attracting mineral enthusiasts.

  • The slag dumps feature a variety of minerals, including Anglesite, Azurite, and Cerussite, with some rare finds like Chenite and Elyite.

  • The mine operated from 1865 to 1876, extracting lead and copper from limestone, but closed due to sparse ore.

  • The village is a cultural hub with historical buildings and festivals like the Festival des Monts de la Madeleine in July and August.

  • The climate is warm and temperate, with significant annual precipitation, supporting diverse ecology.

Geographic Location

Le Crozet is located in the northern part of the Loire department, about 25 km northeast of Roanne, in the Auvergne-Rhônes-Alpes region of France. This small village, with a population of around 240, is part of the Roannais region, known for its medieval charm and proximity to the Lyonnais mountains and Forez plain.

Minerals Produced

The Les Rats Mine slag dumps are famous for a diverse array of minerals, including common ones like Calcite and Quartz, and rarer finds such as Chenite and Elyite. The mine, historically a lead and copper operation, yielded only 700 tons of ore, making its mineralogy a treasure for collectors.

Mining History

Discovered around 1865 by Alexis Desmarets, the mine was acquired in 1867 by Manhes, a Lyon manufacturer. It operated until 1876, employing about a hundred workers, but closed due to the ore being too sparse to be economically viable.

Local Culture and Characteristics

Le Crozet is labeled a "Village de Caractère" and "Petite Cité de Caractère," attracting tourists with its historical buildings and the Museum of Arts and Traditions. The village hosts the Festival des Monts de la Madeleine, featuring classical concerts, and is known for its regional cuisine, including dishes from nearby Roanne, famous for the Threegros restaurant.

Climate and Ecology

The climate is warm and temperate, with an average annual temperature of 8.6°C and about 1584 mm of precipitation yearly. The diverse ecology, influenced by the region's geological variety, supports a rich natural environment, though the mine's impact on local ecology is minimal now.

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