“The stages in the process where Audibert played a significant role, as a result of his dealings with Public Authorities and mine directors, were firstly the inclusion in the nationalisation law of 1946 of Charbonnages de France’s research responsibility, followed by the creation, on 1st July 1947, as part of the legal framework of Charbonnages de France of Cerchar, with responsibility for all research to be carried out in the area. Audibert took over the running of laboratories in Montluçon and Villers-Saint-Paul, and immediately developed their staff as much as their humble facilities would allow. Audibert saw the need to create a major central research Establishment. Audibert, as Cerchar’s Chief Executive, ensured that a single fund, financed by mining contributions, would be devoted both to investments and to operational costs. Taking his inspiration from the best of what was being done abroad, specifically at the Dutch Research Centre, he drew up a plan in several phases, to be built on a huge area. The first phase of construction was from September 1948 to June 1950. An extra wing was built in 1951-1952. The construction and equipment of the Centre de Verneuil bore comparison with the best French and foreign research centres”.
Extract from the Mine Annals
