2. Models offered by mines and quarries

2.1 Shapes and layouts of volumes inherited from mines and quarries

In France, the distinction between mines and quarries is purely legislative. It is defined by the Mining Code: mines for minerals considered to be "régaliens" (a legacy of monarchical times), whose exploitation is governed by concession, and quarries for all other materials, notably those destined for construction.

In fact, the list is not set in stone, and new minerals are added to the list of concessible substances when economic strategy justifies it (by a questionable extension, hydrocarbon storage sites have been added to the list). This distinction is without prejudice to the underground nature of the operation. Only underground operations are considered here, the others being referred...