IRON
AND
COAL
AND
COAL
Little Vein Seam – West Side
The coal proved to be of normal thickness and of good quality with a fairly good roof but there was a considerable thickness of clod coming down on top of the coal which meant that much of it had to be sent to the surface. The coal is cut by colliers on daywages and it was therefore important to settle a cutting price for working this seam.
Little Vein Seam – East Side
This District was rapidly opening out with the coal proving to be of good section and with a good roof with reserves being adequate for 6 to 7 years production. The coal was worked by colliers on day wages but for successful development it was important to settle a cutting price per ton.
This District was rapidly opening out with the coal proving to be of good section and with a good roof with reserves being adequate for 6 to 7 years production. The coal was worked by colliers on day wages but for successful development it was important to settle a cutting price per ton.
Since the horse haulage was getting to be too long it was recommended that a 15 inch cylinder compressed air mechanical haulage be introduced.
The Top Coal and Lower Four Feet seams were proved not far from the winding shaft but they were found to be quite unworkable.
The ventilation was good and adequate and the conditions of the underground workings were generally satisfactory, however, the rope haulages in some cases might be extended nearer the working faces.
Bedlinog No 2 Pit
The output of this pit was derived from the Rhas Las seam. Reserves of 663,000 tons were reported which, at a weekly production of 4,000 tons would be exhausted in about 3 years (1912).
The main haulage plane was of very considerable length and was operated by a steam powered 14 inch engine. The in-bye haulages and pumps were compressed air operated.
The coal was won from the “Cherry District” which was located at the northern end of the take being the most distant from the winding shaft. The seam was of normal thickness with a fair roof.
Part of the face advancing west had been stopped against the boundary in September 1909 whilst it was anticipated that another part of the face would reach the boundary during January 1910 and the remainder of the face would be exhausted during January 1911.
The loss of output from this source, which was some of the best and cheapest coal in the pit had already affected the output and cost of production.
The face advancing east measured about 800 yards, 200 yards of which was in disturbed and faulty ground. It was anticipated that by April 1910, 170 yards of the northern end of the fact would stop against the barrier whilst the remaining 630 yards would continue working towards the Penydarren Fault.
However, during the last four to five months there had been a marked deterioration in the quality of coal and condition of the roof and the face was dipping heavily to the west. Owing to this dip a strong recommendation was made to introduce a rope haulage as soon as possible although the capital outlay would be considerable.