The coal mines attracted many workers and made the village and an economic engine for the region.

From 1869 to 1946, the mines of La Machine, under the control of the Schneider Company, enjoyed a great prosperity and the development of the city accelerated.

They were a part of the 140,000 Chinese that France and Britain had used to work in the back of the front during the First World War.

The city reached its maximum population in the 1950s and became the fourth agglomeration of the department behind Nevers, Cosne-sur-Loire and Decize.

In the final years, coal was intended only for local businesses when it was still more or less profitable due to the low cost of transportation.