Region: Nord-Pas de Calais

The Nord-Pas de Calais Coalfield is the largest in France (206 372 hectars):100 kilometres long and only 15 to 5 kilometres wide.

The coalmining industry started in 1720 : 1960 is the symbolic starting point of the planified decline of coal production in the Nord/Pas de Calais. Two famous National Programs - "Plan Jeanneney 1960 - 1965" and "Plan Bettencourt 1968" - drastically reduced coal production and led to the closing of the least competitive sites. Despite desperate attempts to strenghten coal production in the early eighties, the coal decline was inexorable in the Nord-Pas de Calais, and in Europe. It stopped in December 1990 in Oignies.

A few key-figures :

-		1 200 000 inhabitants out of 4 millions for the whole region
-		180 local authorities ; 2 Departements
-		more than 220 000 people were directly employed by the coalmining industry at its climax
-		galleries : 100 000 km
-		brownfields : 5 000 hectars
-		232 tips
-		80 379 coalmining housing estate
-		strong subsidence : 10 to 18 metres
-		water problems : 60 electric pumps (annual cost : 1 524 000 EUROS)

Project A: Loisinord

This paragraph will shortly feature informations about Loisinord.

Project B: Les Tertiales - Forgeval

This paragraph will shortly feature informations about Les Tertiales - Forgeval.