Charbonnage du Hasard de Cheratte

An old Anthracite coal mine, the Charbonnage began large scale operations at the site in 1847. The original shaft went 250m into the earth. Persistent flooding in the tunnels caused constant issues leading to decreased production and dangerous conditions. This led to the first closure of the mine 1877.

In 1905, construction of a new extraction tower was begun on the site. It included the first headframe over a mineshaft in the country. The new building, modeled from a Gothic Malakoff tower, was finished in 1907 and contains the headframe, showers and offices. It was erected over the first shaft to reach the lower coal seams.

There was a second shaft and headframe constructed of metal beams put into place in the early 1920's. It was rendered obsolete in the 1930's and the shaft was sealed.

The 3rd headframe construction began in 1927 and was a towering concrete structure which still dominates the site. It was completed in in the 1930's and resides over the deepest shaft of the complex, reaching depths of approximately 480m.

There was also a 4th shaft, called Puits Hognée, which was located up on the hill for the removal of mine tailings. It has historical designation and is preserved.

At its peak production, the mine had 1500 miners and had had tapered down to only 600 at its closure in 1977.

There exists a series of adits which possibly allow access into the deep recesses of the mine although the headframe shafts have been well sealed.