The MIMonVE project – The mines around Mont Vélan, funded by the Interreg Italy-Switzerland 2014/2020 cross-border cooperation program with a total project amount of €1,955,000, involved the Unité des Communes Valdôtaines Grand-Combin as the project leader, together with four partners: the Autonomous Region of Aosta Valley with the Department of Circular Economy, Waste, Remediation, and Extractive Activities, the Valdostan Municipalities of Valpelline and Ollomont, and the Valais Municipality of Val de Bagnes.
The objective, corresponding to 2.2 of the Interreg Italy-Switzerland program “Greater attractiveness of territories characterized by environmental and cultural resources with common specificities”, was to promote the territories around the mines of Mont Vélan for the benefit of residents and tourists, starting from the protection and enhancement of the metallurgical-mining, historical, and cultural heritage of the territory.
The rehabilitation of the mining sites in Valpelline and Ollomont went through complex recovery and safety interventions of the old mine structures (galleries and smelting plants) and their musealization through the installation of specific arrangements and the creation of new exhibition and welcoming spaces (infopoint). Moreover, the complex was enriched with some complementary themed works such as the adventure park and the archaeometallurgy laboratory in Ollomont and the playground in Valpelline, which also enrich the offer from a playful and educational standpoint. The connection between all the points of interest of the site scattered across the territory was made possible through the setting up of the Copper Trail, with the installation of informative showcases and panels guiding visitors to discover the thematic path connecting the two Valdostan municipalities.
On the Swiss side, the activities focused on the development of new educational and recreational dissemination devices made available to visitors along the Mont Chemin Mine Trail and the digitalization of specific in-depth contents accessible via an app.
Among the project activities, a cross-border training course dedicated to tourism operators in the mining field was also organized and met with great participation success.
The most significant interventions carried out on the Valdostan side thanks to Interreg funding are illustrated below.
For a focus on Swiss activities, please refer to the section dedicated to the Mont Chemin Mine Trail.
Safety Interventions
Between 2022 and 2023, construction sites were developed for the safety of the galleries of the Ollomont, Saint-Jean, and Balme copper mines, essential interventions to allow full public access to these places.
The Saint-Jean gallery path, approximately 250 meters in length, was cleaned and slightly leveled to ensure the correct drainage of the present infiltration water, to prevent flooding.
Considering that the visit will be “adventure” style, i.e., using only the lights of the helmets specially provided, the spotlights placed along the path will be turned on and off by the guide as visitors pass.
Particular attention has been paid to inclusive accessibility: the presence of tactile panels and a guide-rope will be in place to allow the visit also to visually impaired people.
The entrance to the section in question has been completely reworked through the realization of a metal portal, guaranteeing the impossibility of access to unauthorized persons.
As for the Balme section, consisting of a single large room for the recovery area, the works have been less demanding.
The well, 110 meters deep, has been completely opened and secured by installing a protective fence and an anti-fall net at its entrance.
To allow the visitor the right perception of the work’s impressiveness, an LED strip has been lowered inside the entrance for a depth of about 50 meters, and a pedestrian walkway slightly cantilevered over the well’s void has been realized.
Infopoint – Archaeometallurgy Laboratory
The structure hosts a room with the possibility of projecting videos related to mining activity, mineral extraction techniques, metal smelting, and generally the history of the municipal territory of Ollomont.
Alongside the infopoint, an archaeometallurgy laboratory has been created, where young people visiting the site can be involved in material smelting experiments to enhance their knowledge through a playful-creative experience.
Adventure Park
The adventure park consists of five trails of various difficulty levels, made with wooden platforms and steel ropes, characterized by classic mining elements (e.g., explosive barrels, shovels, minecarts…).
The Municipal Administration wanted to enhance the offer by creating an additional trail for children from the age of 4.
Copper Trail
A connecting path between the various points of interest of the mining complex, straddling the Municipalities of Ollomont and Valpelline, following the existing roads, has been identified.
Along the path, directional signage has been installed, as well as informational totems describing the points of interest reached.