In May the guided tours resume Talione gold mine in Valle Antrona, open to the public for tourist visits from July 2023 after a long recovery and safety project carried out in recent years by the Ossola Protected Areas Management Body as part of the Interreg Italy-Switzerland “Mineralp” project , conducted in cooperation between partners from the Valle d’Aosta Region, the Piedmont Region and Switzerland (Cantons of Valais and Ticino).
The gold mining activity in Valle Antrona seems to have ancient origins but the exploitation became industrial starting from the second half of the 19th century and involved the excavation of numerous tunnels as well as the creation of entire mining villages. The exploitation of the gold veins ended immediately after the Second World War. The Taglione Mine, located in Prabernardo in the municipality of Antrona Schieranco, is one of the many gold extraction sites, but it is the only one authorized by the Piedmont Region for visits and tourist use.
In 2024 the mine will be opened from May 4th to October 13thSaturday and Sunday; from 12 to 16 Augusthowever, will be open every day.
The management of the visits was entrusted (following a public tender) to the GeoExplora studio of the Geologist and Environmental Hiking Guide Enrico Zanolettiwhich will make use of the collaboration of a group of specialized guides on the mining heritage specially trained within the Mineralp project.
Accompanied by Mining Guides, the visit to the Taglione Mine is carried out only by the light of the headlamp mounted on the helmet, thus creating an emotional experience. The gallery, thanks to the displays, allows us to talk about the methods of gold extraction and processing and bring to life the harsh working conditions of the miners underground. The presence of some evidence of the frequenting of the mine after the end of the mining activity allows us to tell important and at the same time touching moments of the local history of Ossola.
Visits take place on 4 daily shifts (9.30 am, 11.00 am, 2.00 pm, 3.30 pm), with meeting directly at the mine at least 15 minutes before. The visit lasts a total of 1 hour and 30 minutes, with an outdoor introduction and an underground viewing route of approximately 1 km (round trip); it is suitable for everyone (children from 3-4 years old) and the Guides will be able to adapt the language and contents to different types of audiences to keep everyone’s interest alive. Internally the temperature is around 8°-10° C and there is more than 80% humidity: warm clothing, a waterproof/windproof jacket and trekking shoes are therefore essential.
The mine can be reached via a comfortable and wide path in about 30 minutes on foot from the car park located in Prabernardo (fraction of Antrona Schieranco): the difference in altitude from the car park to the mine is approximately 200 meters for just over 1km of distance. The path is easy and well signposted, but not suitable for those with walking problems. The meeting point for visits is directly at the mine.
There reservation is mandatory, since for each visit there are 12-15 places available maximum and it must be done by 10.00 pm the previous day on the website www.minieradeltaglione.it. The cost is 15 euros for adults (from 12 years old), 10 euros for children aged 6 to 12 years and 5 euros for children aged 3 to 6 years.
All detailed information regarding required clothing, visit methods and access to the mining site can be found on the website www.minieradeltaglione.it, where it is possible to register for visits by choosing preferred dates and times and making advance payment. Visits on request, visits and educational activities for schools, visits in languages (English, French and German on dedicated dates) and to celebrate special occasions (birthday, anniversary, stag/hen party), as well as corporate team buildings combined with a visit to the Rovesca hydroelectric power plant.
