The Marquis de Traisnel (Claude-Constant-Esprit Jouvenel des Ursins d'Harville), Lord of Passy (1723-1794) was lieutenant-general of the king's armies and grand bailiff of Ostrevent and the main shareholder of the Compagnie des Mines d'Aniche and then of the Compagnie des Mines d'Anzin in the North of France.

In 1770, after the death of his wife, his financial situation deteriorated. In 1773, he founded the Association des Fosses de Villers-au-Tertre to temporarily exploit the coal mines he discovered on his land. This association will become the Compagnie des Mines d'Aniche in 1778 and will be one of the most important mining companies in France.