Garida Mine

The Garida Mine bears witness to the intensive mining activity for the extraction of talc that developed in the Upper Sangone Valley at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Mine stands as a unique example of industrial archaeology.

It has its own technical characteristics, especially as far as mining techniques are concerned, which date back to the early 20th century.

The following features are highly noteworthy:

• the lithological context: the marble banks, once cultivated, are embedded in the mica-schists and lie in contact with the talc veins;
• a remarkable fault mirror;
• other geological structures, such as folds.

Some 1,000 metres of underground tunnels can be visited with the assistance of an environmental hiking guide.

A small collection of minerals is on display at the reception facility.

The mine forms part of the Upper Sangone Valley Ecomuseum.

The Municipality of Coazze holds the mining site licence for tourist use.

Infrastructure and equipment were sold to the Municipality by the latest company holding the excavation licence.

The Geco Association is in charge of managing the mine.

The Garida Mine forms part of the National Network of Italian Mining Parks and Museums (ReMi), promoted by the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Ispra).

Duration of visit: approximately two hours.

The Mine provides:

• guided tours for the general public (upon reservation);
• thematic didactic tours for schoolchildren and guided tours from secondary school onwards;
• extra openings during local and national events such as the National Mining Day;
• collaboration with the Experimental Geological Museum of Giaveno;
• study and research opportunities for researchers. A census of the amphibians living in the mine is underway.