The rock contained iron, and after surveys the Société des Mines de Marbache was created to exploit it.

[3] The Pont-à-Mousson company was created in 1856 by a group of Lorraine businessmen to use the ore to manufacture cast iron.

In 1862 the enterprise was liquidated due to lack of sufficient capital to cover the high investment expenses.

[4] Rogé managed to raise capital in the Saarland and restart the business, selling most of its production to forges in the Ardennes and Champagne.

He focused the company on pipe production, and found a ready market when cities began to make large investment in water supply after 1871.