Enhancement of mining heritage of Piemonte, proposals for a didactics and touristic network

Quarries and mines have provided, throughout the ages, natural resources necessary for manufacturing, artistic and industrial development of the society. However, currently, we are not always able to valorize their socio-cultural and historical significance. The aim of this study is to collect and complete an existing dataset of Piemonte extractive heritage and propose a network of potential sites to be valorized in terms of touristic and didactic uses. Firstly, abandoned quarry and mine sites was collected and stored using Geographic Information Systems. Was created a database consisting of three databases for mines and a single database for quarries. Based on this data, several criteria were taken into account to select potential sites of interest to create the tuoristic network. The choice of sites was evaluated so as to represent the main materials extracted in Piemonte. Subsequently, using aerial photo and landslide archive, it was possible to consider accessibility of the various areas. Finally quantitative and qualtative rock mass stability investigations were carried out at the sites of greatest interest, based on the characteristics of sites themselves. Taking these criteria into account, four sites were selected from former mines and four sites were selected from former quarries. For each of them a standard form was created with the aim of collecting information and materials to create a proposal of didactic-tourist itineraries network dedicated to the extractive heritage throughout Piemonte.