The Coal Deal: Making Money in Marles-les-Mines

In 1852, Pierre Boucher and Claude Etienne Lacretelle, two French engineers, conducted coal research in the town of Lillers, France. Their discovery led to a concession deal with Émile Rainbeaux, a Belgian owner of Grand-Hornu mines. Rainbeaux was only responsible for the costs of research, establishment, and initial operation of the coal mines discovered. The capitals he used for this purpose would enjoy a 5% interest. He would also receive 70% of the net profit, while Boucher and Lacretelle received 30%. They could verify the accounts and form a society to collect their share. This arrangement allowed the mine, located in Marles-les-Mines, to operate until its end in 1974, contributing to the region's industrial growth for that period.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata