Starting Saturday, the Cobalt mining museum will offer visitors the opportunity to learn more about the silver rush of the early 20th century. The organization made artifacts available to the public in an old mine to immerse the public in the working conditions of the time.
When I look here at the humidity, the cold, the darkness. I don’t think anyone would want to work in such conditions.
remarks Roger Oblin, entering the underground tunnel.
The guide, Charlie Angus, holds out a shovel and invites him to collect rocks, as the miners did after an explosion.
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Only the first level of the mine can be explored by tourists.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Jimmy Chabot
There were many accidents during that period.
says Charlie Angus, federal MP and author of several books on the history of Cobalt.
After an explosion, there were a lot of pieces of dynamite in the rocks. There was always a chance that a miner would hit a piece of dynamite with his shovel.
adds the man who will not be standing for re-election in the next federal election.
Mr. Angus shows how simple pieces of wood retain the pressure of the tunnel or how the miners descend from one gallery to another by putting one foot in a bucket, holding on tightly to the rope.
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Charlie Angus and Ella Michaud show how elevators worked in the Cobalt mines at the start of the 20th century. Each miner placed one foot in the bucket while stabilizing himself on the rope.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Jimmy Chabot
There could be up to four in the same bucket before the elevator shaft arrived.
explains the historian and MP.
Mr. Oblin replied that he would like to see today’s miners come visit
and see how their profession is evolving.
The tools were very primitive and it was necessary to use force, shovels, hammers. Now in the mines of Sudbury, Timmins […] There are big trucks, but also tools to protect the work of the mining companies
suggests Charlie Angus on the evolution of technological tools.
Mr. Angus suggests that it is, among other things, thanks to the facts that the Cobalt miners were able to stand up in solidarity that this type of working conditions no longer exists in the country.
The Cobalt Mining Museum will offer tours of the mine three times daily starting Saturday, June 29.
Students, volunteers and the federal deputy will share the role of guide until the end of August.
