Vieille Montagne, mining for zinc

Management building for the group "Agence de Moresnet" for the company "Vieille Montagne". The building was erected in 1910. From these offices they controlled the entire VM "Moresnet" concession of 1805. This included the quarries of Kelmis, Schmalgraf, Fossey, Mützhagen, Lontzen and a number of smaller quarries. Also Welkenraedt was ...

© François Wouters

Altenberg mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". On the left in the picture two mine shafts.The building on the right with the stack, houses the boiler and the power plant. In the background the large quarry "Gite Nord". In the middle you can see the reduction furnaces, the long building with seven chimneys. Behind this hall you can see a ...

© François Wouters

1855 An overview of the Altenberg mine (Vieille Montagne), Kelmis (La Calamine). On the left the "Gîte Sud", behind that the large quarry "Gîte Nord". On the right of the quarry are an extraction shaft and a treatment plant. In the middle you see the zinc reduction furnaces, the long building with seven chimneys. To the Left of the ...

© François Wouters

Altenberg mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". Impression of the open cut zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet. Painting by the hand of Jean-Baptiste Bastiné. Collection Museum Vieille Montagne, Kelmis (La Calamine). Since the early Middle Ages calamine was won in "Moresnet", mainly for the production of brass. In 1815 after the fall of ...

Altenberg mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". Map of the Altenberg zinc mine and associated zinc plant Vieille Montagne in 1875. Even today one can still find traces of some parts of the installations. Map in Collection of François Wouters

© François Wouters

Vieille Montagne Altenberg zinc mine and zinc factory, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". In the middle of the picture the hall with the seven muffle furnaces for the production of pure zinc by reduction of zinc oxide. Notice the seven short chimneys. In de foreground the wash plant "Laverie" with settling ponds. In between the "Lütticher ...

© François Wouters

In 1900 Vieille Montagne built a new wash plant for processing ores from its zinc mines Schmalgraf, Fossey, Mützhagen and Lontzen. Arrival of the ores top of the wash plant. The ore were crushed in a crushing mill and ended up on a sorting table. Photo Iwan Jungblut, author of the book series "Kelmiser Geschichten".

© François Wouters

1900 Detailed plans of the wash plant on the site of the former zinc mine Altenberg. Although this old calamine mine was exhausted, Vieille Montagne built a new wash plant for processing ores from their other zinc mines in the “Vieille Montagne-concession-Moresnet”: Schmalgraf, Eschbroich, Fossey, Mützhagen, Lontzen and Roer & ...

© François Wouters

Washplant Altenberg Mine. Central drive wheel with one large steam engine. By means of a flat belt, this steam engine powered the entire wash plant. Photo collection VMHeritage.

© Photo collection VMHeritage.

In 1928 Vieille Montagne built a Waelz kiln in Neu-Moresnet. Locally called "Giftmühle". The Schmalgraf mine came to an end (closed in 1932) and only the huge dumps of the old zinc furnaces remained. These still contained a large amount of zinc. This kiln was designed to process the zinc from these dumps. Also foreign zinc ores were purchased. ...

© François Wouters

Willemite Altenberg, Neutral-Moresnet, Kelmis. Belgian old classic. Willemite from the type locality Altenberg. From the Altenberg zinc mine in former Neutral-Moresnet, now Kelmis (La Calamine) Belgium. The Altenberg mine was owned by Vieille-Montagne and closed in 1884. Comes from an old unnamed collection in Silesia. Somehow it survived ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite from the Altenberg zinc mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". Belgian old classic. Collected before the closing of the mine (1884). From the collection of Paul Simons. Neutral Moresnet was a small Belgian-Prussian condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between present-day Belgium and Germany. The Altenberg mine was owned by ...

© François Wouters

Willemite Altenberg, Neutral-Moresnet, Kelmis. Belgian old classic. Willemite from the type locality Altenberg. From the Altenberg zinc mine in former Neutral-Moresnet, now Kelmis (La Calamine) Belgium. The Altenberg mine was owned by Vieille-Montagne and closed in 1884. Ex-Sammlung Steffen Michalski and Staatl. Mineralien-Niederlage ...

© François Wouters

Willemite, from the Altenberg mine (Vieille-Montagne) in Kelmis (La Calamine) Belgium "Moresnet". Representative specimen of Willemite from the type locality Altenberg. Belgian old classic. Sammlung Dipl.-Ing. E. NOSKE Hamburg-Gross Flottbek. Collection and photo, François Wouters

© François Wouters

Willemite from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet. Representative specimen of Willemite from the type locality Altenberg. Belgian old classic. From the Altenberg zinc mine in former Neutral-Moresnet, now Kelmis (La Calamine) Belgium. The Altenberg mine was owned by Vieille-Montagne and closed in 1884. Ex-Sammlung Steffen Michalski ...

© François Wouters

Willemite Altenberg, Neutral-Moresnet, Kelmis. Belgian old classic. Willemite from the type locality Altenberg. From the Altenberg zinc mine in former Neutral-Moresnet, now Kelmis (La Calamine) Belgium. The Altenberg mine was owned by Vieille-Montagne and closed in 1884. Collection and photo, François Wouters

© François Wouters

"Willemit from Altenberg" Willemite of the Altenberg type locality. Classic specimen from the Vieille Montagne mine closed in 1884. Comes from an old unnamed collection in Silesia. Somehow it survived the Iron curtain times in Poland. Brought back into circulation 40 years ago by Teofil Konieczny from Prudnik. Resurfaced 10 years ago in ...

© François Wouters

Hemimorphite from the Altenberg zinc mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". Belgian old classic. Collected before the closing of the mine (1884). From the collection of Paul Simons. Neutral Moresnet was a small Belgian-Prussian condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between present-day Belgium and Germany. The Altenberg mine was owned by ...

© François Wouters

Willemite, from the Altenberg mine (Vieille-Montagne) in Kelmis (La Calamine) Belgium "Moresnet" . Representative specimen of Willemite from the type locality Altenberg. Belgian old classic. Ex-Sammlung Dipl.-Ing. E. NOSKE Hamburg-Gross Flottbek. Collection François Wouters, Photo Theo Jans.

© François Wouters

Willemite Altenberg, Neutral-Moresnet, Kelmis. Belgian old classic. Willemite from the type locality Altenberg. From the Altenberg zinc mine in former Neutral-Moresnet, now Kelmis (La Calamine) Belgium. The Altenberg mine was owned by Vieille-Montagne and closed in 1884. Sammlung Dipl.-Ing. E. NOSKE Hamburg-Grossflottbek. Collection and ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet. Field of View: 80 mm Neutral Moresnet was a small Belgian-Prussian condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between present-day Belgium and Germany. The mine was owned by Vieille-Montagne and closed in 1884. Belgian old classic from the collection of William W. Jefferis ...

© François Wouters

"Willemit from Altenberg" Willemite of the Altenberg type locality. Classic specimen from the Vieille Montagne mine closed in 1884. Comes from an old unnamed collection in Silesia. Somehow it survived the Iron curtain times in Poland. Brought back into circulation 40 years ago by Teofil Konieczny from Prudnik. Resurfaced 10 years ago in ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet. This whole specimen is shot through with massive smithsonite. The best part, however, is a druse of botryoidal, tan, smithsonite, sitting in a vug. Neutral Moresnet was a small Belgian-Prussian condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between present-day Belgium and Germany. The mine ...

© François Wouters

1905 Smithsonite, Altenberg mine Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet" Photo and collection François Wouters.

© François Wouters

1905 Smithsonite, Altenberg mine Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet" Belgian old classic. The Altenberg mine closed in 1884. Photo and collection François Wouters.

© François Wouters

Smithsonite from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet. Neutral Moresnet was a small condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between the Netherlands and Prussia. Present-day Belgium. The mine was equipped with a wash plant, roasting and reduction furnaces for the production of zinc metal. Owned by Vieille Montagne. The Altenberg mine ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet. Neutral Moresnet was a small condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between the Netherlands and Prussia. Present-day Belgium. The mine was equipped with a wash plant, roasting and reduction furnaces for the production of zinc metal. Owned by Vieille Montagne. The Altenberg mine ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite from the Altenberg “Vieille Montagne” zinc mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". Belgian old classic. Collected before the closing of the mine (1884). From the collection of Paul De Bondt. Collection and Photo François Wouters.

© François Wouters

Smithsonite with calcite on calamine from the Altenberg mine in Neutral-Moresnet. Neutral-Moresnet was an independent condominium from 1816 to 1920. Located between Prussia and the Netherlands. In 1830 Belgium became the new neighbor. After WW1, Neutral-Moresnet was assigned to Belgium and included in the municipality of Kelmis (La ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet. Neutral Moresnet was a small condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between the Netherlands and Prussia. Present-day Belgium. The mine was equipped with a wash plant, roasting and reduction furnaces for the production of zinc metal. Owned by Vieille Montagne. The Altenberg mine ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet. Neutral Moresnet was a small condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between the Netherlands and Prussia. Present-day Belgium. The mine was equipped with a wash plant, roasting and reduction furnaces for the production of zinc metal. Owned by Vieille Montagne. The Altenberg mine ...

© François Wouters

Octaëdric Smithsonite from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet. Neutral Moresnet was a small condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between the Netherlands and Prussia. Present-day Belgium. The mine was equipped with a wash plant, roasting and reduction furnaces for the production of zinc metal. Owned by Vieille Montagne. The ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet. Neutral Moresnet was a small condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between the Netherlands and Prussia. Present-day Belgium. The mine was equipped with a wash plant, roasting and reduction furnaces for the production of zinc metal. Owned by Vieille Montagne. The Altenberg mine ...

© François Wouters

Hemimorphite and smithsonite Altenberg, Neutral-Moresnet. On top you see hemimorphite, the back is covered with brown smithsonite. From the Altenberg zinc mine in former Neutral-Moresnet, now Kelmis (La Calamine) Belgium. The Altenberg mine was owned by Vieille Montagne and closed in 1884. Belgian old classic. Collection and photo, ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite with hemimorphite from the Altenberg zinc mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". Belgian old classic. Collected before the closing of the mine (1884). From the collection of Dr. Simon Philippo. Collection François Wouters, Photo Leon Hupperichs.

© François Wouters

Smithsonite with hemimorphite crystals, Altenberg Smithsonite with hemimorphite from the Altenberg zinc mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". Belgian old classic. Collected before the closing of the mine (1884). From the collection of Dr. Simon Philippo. Collection François Wouters, Photo Leon Hupperichs.

© François Wouters

Smithsonite from the Altenberg mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". A Belgian old classic. This special Rhombohedral form initially created some doubts in my mind. But some fellow Moresnet collectors convinced me that this form of smithsonite frequently occurs on Altenberg pieces. Now that I recognize it, I have seen it on other Altenberg ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite from the Altenberg mine, Moresnet. A Belgian old classic. This special Rhombohedral form initially created some doubts in my mind. But some fellow Moresnet collectors convinced me that this form of smithsonite frequently occurs on Altenberg pieces. Now that I recognize it, I have seen it on other Altenberg pieces. This specimen ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite gaufrée Altenberg mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". It is locally called smithsonite gaufrée what means " wafer smithsonite " Belgian old classic. Ex Gembloux highschool obtained from Gilbert Gauthier. A polished slice of the original piece in the collection of Paul Debondt https://www.mindat.org/photo-369971.html Photo ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite gaufrée Altenberg Moresnet. Old Belgian Classic Ex-Gembloux highschool. Photo and collection François Wouters.

© François Wouters

Smithsonite gaufrée Altenberg Moresnet. Old Belgian Classic. Ex-Gembloux highschool. Photo and collection François Wouters.

© François Wouters

The three main minerals from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet on 1 piece. From left to right hemimorphite, sphalerite and the orange willemite. Neutral Moresnet was a small condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between present-day Belgium and Germany. The mine was owned by Vieille Montagne and closed in 1884. Belgian old ...

© François Wouters

Hemimorphite from the Altenberg zinc mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". The mine was owned by Vieille Montagne and closed in 1884. Calamine, zinc silicate crystals on the top of and throughout the whole of the piece. Belgian old classic. Collected before 1884. Collection and photo, François Wouters.

© François Wouters

Smithsonite Altenberg mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". The mine was operated by "Vieille Montagne" until 1884. Belgian old classic. Photo and collection François Wouters.

© François Wouters

The three main minerals from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet on 1 piece. From left to right hemimorphite, sphalerite and the orange willemite. Neutral Moresnet was a small condominium that existed from 1816 to 1920 between present-day Belgium and Germany. The mine was owned by Vieille Montagne and closed in 1884. Belgian old ...

© François Wouters

Hemimorphite Altenberg Hemimorphite from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet. The Altenberg mine was owned by Vieille-Montagne and closed in 1884. Belgian old classic from the collection of the University of Arizona. Almost all of one side of this matrix is covered by colorless sparkling micro hemimorphite crystals

Hemimorphite Altenberg mine in "Moresnet". Hemimorphite from the Altenberg zinc mine in Neutral-Moresnet, now Kelmis (La Calamine) Belgium. The Altenberg mine was owned by Vieille Montagne and closed in 1884. Belgian old classic from the collection of the University of Arizona. Almost all of one side of this matrix is covered by colorless ...

© François Wouters

Smithsonite, willemite, Altenberg mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". Beautiful encapsulated fluorescent crystals of smithsonite from the Altenberg zinc mine of Vieille Montagne. On the right side a rim of willemite. Belgian old classic. Collected before 1884. Collection and Photo, François Wouters.

© François Wouters

Smithsonite Altenberg. Beautiful encapsulated fluorescent crystals of smithsonite from the Altenberg zinc mine of Vieille-Montagne. On the right, a rim of willemite. Collected before 1884. Photo and collection François Wouters.

© François Wouters

Hemimorphite Altenberg mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". Abundant amount of hemimorphite crystals from the Altenberg zinc mine of Vieille Montagne. Belgian old classic. Collected before 1884. Collection and photo, François Wouters.

© François Wouters

Moresnetite, sauconite, Altenberg mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". Initialy described from the Altenberg mine, by Risse (1865). Named after the town of Moresnet in the Belgian Vieille Montagne zinc-lead concession. Belgian old classic. The Altenberg mine closed in 1884. Green moresnetite, a mixture of clay, sauconite and hemimorphite ...

© François Wouters

Moresnetite, sauconite Altenberg, Moresnet Old Belgian classic, the Altenberg mine closed in 1884. Green Moresnetite, a mixture of clay, sauconite and hemimorphite with traces of red zincite. In 1865 named after the town of Moresnet in the Belgian Vieille Montagne zink-lead concession The green color is caused by nickel. Collection and ...

© François Wouters

Altenberg mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". Aragonite, part of a stalactite. The piece is partly polished. From the collection Georges Vanacker (1923-1992). https://www.mindat.org/photo-901938.html Photo and collection François Wouters.

© François Wouters

Hydrozincite, smithsonite Altenberg. Smithsonite covered with hydrozincite on petrified ashes from the zinc reduction furnaces at the Altenberg mine. Photo and collection François Wouters

© François Wouters

Slag of the "Zinc white" plant in Neu-Moresnet. Former Altenberg mine, Kelmis (La Calamine) "Moresnet". In 1928, a zinc oxide plant was started in Neu-Moresnet. Because their own mines were almost exhausted Vieille Montagne imported the necessary zinc sulphide ore. VM produced zinc oxide by means of a rotary roasting furnace. The oxide was ...

© François Wouters