IRON
AND
COAL
AND
COAL
This drift mine was developed by Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds during 1929 and was driven into the Brithdir seam and to connect with the existing Nantyffin Slant (later to become the site of Ffynonau Duon No3) and through which all coal was taken. Nantyffin Slant was retained for man travelling, ventilation and pumping.
Prior to the opening of Bedlinog Drift, the coal was taken from Nantyffin and loaded into railway wagons at a siding which was connected to the Joint GWR/Rhymney Railway. This is still in existence as the rail link to the Opencast Depot at Cwm Bargoed
Materials worked were listed as coking coal between 1932-1938 and coking and household coal between 1947- 1955, the seams worked being the Brithdir and Tyladu with the former being abandoned in August 1949 and latter on 31 March 1956 when the level closed.
Prior to the opening of Bedlinog Drift, the coal was taken from Nantyffin and loaded into railway wagons at a siding which was connected to the Joint GWR/Rhymney Railway. This is still in existence as the rail link to the Opencast Depot at Cwm Bargoed
Materials worked were listed as coking coal between 1932-
The drift transferred ownership to Dowlais Collieries Ltd which was registered on 30 May 1931 and ceased to be a public company on 12 May 1954. It was dissolved on 12 April 1956 shortly after the closure of the drift. Whilst the drift was nationalised on 1 January 1947 the Company was not taken into public control until 1951 under the Iron & Steel Act 1949. Following nationalisation the NCB authorised the purchase of four coaches to be reconditioned to replace vans (Link to photo of CWBs) used to transport workmen between Cae Harris and Bedlinog.
Manning statistics were as follows:-
(11/45) = (surface/underground)
(11/45) = (surface/underground)
1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934-38
11/45 17/21 19/21 8/15 -/11 Figures included in Nantyffin
There were six Colly levels, which were opened by the Dowlais Iron Company between 1865 and 1868.
The Colly Levels were in production at 1871-72, according to the Gelligaer Parish Production Lists. From 1873 to 1888 they are listed HMIM List of Mines under the Dowlais Iron Co.
Other reports as under -
"In consequence of the Dowlais Co. having resumed work at the Colly Uchaf Colliery, which closed about three years ago, it has been necessary to reopen the signal cabin."- GWR report 21.1.1880,
"Colly No. 6 level.'" In Fatal Accident Lists for 4.8.1880,
"Colly No. 3 level."- Fatal Accident Lists for 24.9.1880,
"Coly Levels producing 1883-84."- Gellygaer PPL,
"Coal at Nantyffin has been worked out."- GW & Rhymney Rly Min 21.6.1888
All were closed by 1925
