Historical Lacoste and La Grande Vernissière concessions near Durfort-et-Saint-Martin-de-Sossenac and Fressac
Umicore recognizes the complexity of the historical Lacoste and La Grande Vernissière concessions. We understand the concerns expressed locally and remain committed to working closely with the competent authorities and stakeholders to identify appropriate, effective and sustainable solutions within the applicable legal framework.
The historical Lacoste and La Grande Vernissière concessions, near the towns of Durfort-et-Saint-Martin-de-Sossenac and Fressac, have a long mining and industrial past and were known for their extraction of lead and zinc.
The Lacoste site was mined during two distinct periods: from 1839 to 1906 and again from 1948 to 1971. The La Grande Vernissière site was mined intermittently from 1839 to 1921. In the case of the Lacoste site, Umicore’s predecessors became concessionaires in 1953.
These concessions, established in 1839, have had various successive concessionaires and mining operators, including some – unconnected with Umicore – which ran ore washing plants on the site. These plants stopped operating around 1910. When Umicore became the concession holder in 1953, they were gone for decades. Residual traces from that time, however, remain evident.
Initiation of feasibility studies for remediations
In October 2024, Geoderis presented a health and environmental study at a public meeting in Durfort related to the Lacoste and La Grande Vernissière concessions. The study assessed soil and water quality and identified five areas requiring attention, each accompanied by remediation recommendations.
In line with Geoderis’s recommendations, Umicore proposed initiating feasibility studies to determine the most appropriate solutions to limit the risks associated with these sites. These proposals must be framed by formal acts issued by the competent authorities. To date, Umicore has not received any official instructions from the authorities.
Umicore remains committed to addressing post-mining issues effectively, working closely and transparently with the competent authorities and stakeholders, and within a legal framework that reflects the realities on the ground, as well as Umicore’s responsibilities.
The aim is to move forward as quickly as possible while ensuring that the solutions selected are appropriate, effective and sustainable.