THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

AND

JOURNAL OF THE COAL AND IRON TRADES.

Vol. CVIIL

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1914.

No. 2801.

The Belgian Coal

Although from a statistical point of view the Belgian
coal mining industry is small, as compared with that
of Great Britain or Germany, it not only is one of the
most important assets of this brave little country, but
from a technical standpoint has acquired a position of
great distinction. Belgian mining engineers enjoy a
reputation for skill, which is excelled by those of no
other country. Record depths have been reached in the

Mining Industry.

France, but little export trade. On the other hand, they
are open to violent competition in the home market on
the part of the British, French, and German collieries.

The productive seams in Belgium belong to the
upper measures, and have been worked for many years
in the provinces of Hainault, Liege, and Namur. In
addition, discoveries were made some years ago in the
Campine district in the provinces of Limburg and

band, which joins at the western end the coalfields of the
Nord and Pas de Calais, and at the eastern end is in
conjunction with those in the neighbourhood of Aix-la-
Chapelle. The length of the zone is some 106 miles,
varying in width from 1| to 9J miles, the estimated area
of the coalfields being 532 square miles.

The western division is subdivided into four separate
districts, which are known by the names of the Lower
Sambre, Charleroi, Centre, and Borinage districts, the
latter being also called the “ Couchant de Mons.” It
is in the Borinage district, close to the French frontier,
which has been the scene of fierce fighting, that the coal

Fig. 1.—Geological Chart of the Belgian Coalfields.

Ledtber^

M*!5selt

Hoard fit

f/obec<n

sCHuy

C 0 N 0 R 0

g. Roulert

JRenal*

Are AimArea

Permo- Tri&stque

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EEB omantien

fliUlfi Devonian

Stluro-Cambrten

.....Limiteprobable du Weatphalien

-----Ligne de fat He

o Sondage

+ Loca/iti

Bars
Villers- St Simian

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Vor<x/i Goreu* ® U
Horton Hozemont » rvloaYr rd.



'Mons I 2

Fig. 2.—Chart showing the Productive Capacity of Collieries in the Liege Coalfield.



Mons district, many of the seams are exceptionally thin
and fiery; nevertheless, the Belgian coalfields have
obtained a significant reputation for safety, which can
only be attributed to the capacity and the indomitable
perseverance of her mining engineers.

The produce of the Belgian collieries is almost entirely
absorbed by the numerous manufacturing industries of
the country, there being, practically speaking, except to

Antwerp, and more recently in the southern part of
Hainault, which promise to add considerably to the
mineral wealth of the country. In the former district
no coal has as yet been placed upon the market, although
several large collieries are nearing completion, but in
Southern Hainault development has not proceeded
beyond the exploratory stage.

The older coalfields extend in a straight and narrow

formation attains the most complete development, the
depth being estimated at 2,300 yds., and the number
of workable seams at 125. The total thickness of coal
measures is calculated at 77 yds. The upper portion
contains close-burning coal of high combustibility,
known as “ Flenu.” In the Charleroi and Li^ge dis-
tricts the number of workable seams is only 40 to 50,
the depth being about 1,640 yds. Generally speaking,
the coals gradually become more bituminous in char-
acter as the measures extend towards the South.

Belgian coals, according to quality, are usually classed
in six categories :—

1.	Fienu coal (long flame), comprising 28 to 35 per
cent, of volatile matter; a good gas coal.

2.	Gras (bituminous coal), containing 22 to 28 per
cent, of volatile matter; a useful forge coal.

3.	Three-quarter Gras, containing 16 to 20 per cent,
of volatile matter.

4.	Demi-Gras (semi-bituminous), containing 13 to 16
per cent, of volatile matter; used for domestic and
steam-raising purposes.

5.	Quart-Gras, with 11 to 13 per cent.

6.	Maigre coal (dry coal), having less than 11 per
cent, of volatile matter.

In addition, a good anthracitic coal is produced, which
has been greatly favoured in Paris for stove use. It
may also be mentioned that mixing of coals is commonly
adopted in Belgium.

The great value of the Campine coalfield, which
belongs to an entirely different axis, lies in the fact
that it contains deposits of coking coal, a class of fuel
with which Belgium has hitherto been poorly
provided.

Owing to the tardy development of the new coalfields,
in which water difficulties have been great, the with-
holding of concessions, and the pressure of legislation,
the industry has for some years past been stagnant.
The national consumption since 1909 has exceeded the