Discovering the Oltre il Colle Mineralogic Museum

Transporting the mineral

Transporting the mineral was very hard and slow. Until the XIX century, miners only had baskets, wheelbarrows and wagons. Galleries were in descent towards outside. It was very difficult also trasporting the mineral from the galleries to the place where it was washed and selected ("laverie"): it was made with the help of animals. Between the XIX and the XX century some rail transportation systems were built. They could transport not only materials but also men and equipment. The animals were replaced by diesel or electric locomotives.