Saint-Jacques (Mine)

The veins of the Rauenthal run generally East-West and are essentially copper-bearing, with occasional lead and zinc. The Saint-Jacques vein is the same as that of Gabe-Gottes, but offset by a few metres by the Tiefstollen fault. In this network, nine mines are found.

A waterfall is formed by the infiltration of the stream of the Giftgrube ravine (not surveyed). Bypassing the "P" shaft of Combes, the gallery ceiling lowers and one progresses with water up to boot level.

The entrance opens onto a stope equipped with a fixed handrail. The descent of 2 small steps (R1.5) leads to the first shaft (P7). At its base, a squeeze gives access to a gallery. In the floor, a hatch, the head of the shaft that gives access to the lower level (P18). Continuing in the descending gallery, one reaches the vast "P" shaft of Combes which drops into the chamber of the bure II of Gabe-Gottes (not surveyed). Bypassing this shaft, the gallery ceiling lowers and one progresses with water up to boot level. The further one goes, the more the gallery's gauge shrinks until it opens, after a few metres of crawling, onto a vast notch (E11 ?). Back at the hatch, one descends the P18. At its base, a gallery leads to a chamber then to a waterfall formed by the infiltration of the stream of the Giftgrube ravine (not surveyed). The opposite gallery ends at a chamber cluttered with beams and rocks; the latter could be the remains of a tower which, according to the archives, was erected here. Crossing the chamber, it would be possible to reach the base of the Kayserschacht. One must slip between the beams to reach the P14. The rest of the route towards the Couronne d'or would be by descending a shaft located under the stope at the base of the P14 (not explored). At the base of this stope, a gallery leads to an ascending shaft (E12 ?). It would be possible to make 2 traverses, coming from Giftgrube (coming from the shaft marked E11 on the survey) and going to Couronne d'or (passing through the unexplored shaft under the P14).

Text inspired by the document "Les 15 plus belles courses souterraines de Sainte Marie aux Mines" by P. Fluck.