Mining village and fluorite mines
The fluorite mines and the mining village located near the Albani Refuge, reachable via a hike from Colere, are a major attraction for lovers of mining history and nature, offering hiking trails that allow for the exploration of the surrounding areas.
In the Scalve Valley, the mining past constitutes a fundamental part of the local identity, having been the primary means of livelihood for residents until about half a century ago. Various areas of the mountains were exploited for mining in different ways. In the mines of Colere, specifically, fluorite was the main mineral extracted. This raw material is used for the production of hydrofluoric acid—from which fluorine and many of its derivatives are obtained—and is also used in metallurgy as a flux.
The history of mining in Colere came to an end in the late 1970s, not due to the depletion of the mineral, but because of excessive transport and labor costs. The mine entrances, as well as the mining village, remain visible today and are a “must-see” stop for all hikers ascending from Colere toward the Albani Refuge, which itself was originally established as a refreshment and reference point for the miners working in the fluorite mines.
Learn more about the valley’s mining history by visiting the Zanalbert Mines Ecomuseum in Colere, or the Eng. Andrea Bonicelli Mining Park in Schilpario.
