Domingos Vandelli (1735-1816) e a mina carvão do Cabo Mondego

This study contextualises and discusses some aspects of Domingos Vandelli's contribution to the knowledge and exploitation of the Cabo Mondego coal deposit in the last quarter of the 18th century. Its main sources are two manuscripts written by him, one of them unpublished, which explain the contours of his approach to and departure from mining works, and the technical guidelines given to the Portuguese Army officer appointed in 1773 by the minister Martinho de Melo e Castro to conduct the mine's research and exploration. It should be emphasised that the choice of a man of science to accompany the mine denotes recognition of the strategic importance of coal in the country's desired industrial development.