IRON
AND
COAL
AND
COAL
The following information was obtained from a Dowlais Iron Company report dated 8 October 1909
This drift was located to the west of Pant-y-Waun and was driven down from the outcrop to a length of 750 yards. The output for the year ending December 31st 1908 was 36,083 tons which represented an average daily output of 120 tons. It was reported that there was a large area of unworked coal available and that it should be worked by coal cutting machines. However, it was initially not practicable since frequent changes were being experienced in the coal and roof from the area of current mining.
Over the past four to five months the drift had been driven a distance of 80/90 yards and proved that the seam was very uniform in thickness with a good roof and it was in this area that the coal cutting machines were recommended for use.
During wet weather and in the winter months the amount of water made was very heavy but, by making a connection to old workings below free drainage had been obtained.
Coal consumption at the boilers averaged 22 tons per week.
The drift was equipped with a surface hauling engine supplied from a portable steam boiler with another haulage which operated from the mouth of the drift to the two new screens erection of which was nearly complete.
The drift was worked by naked light and ventilation was provided by a small furnace
It was reported that should conditions remain favourable then a daily output of 200 tons should be achievable for some years to come.
Over the past four to five months the drift had been driven a distance of 80/90 yards and proved that the seam was very uniform in thickness with a good roof and it was in this area that the coal cutting machines were recommended for use.
During wet weather and in the winter months the amount of water made was very heavy but, by making a connection to old workings below free drainage had been obtained.
Coal consumption at the boilers averaged 22 tons per week.
The drift was equipped with a surface hauling engine supplied from a portable steam boiler with another haulage which operated from the mouth of the drift to the two new screens erection of which was nearly complete.
The drift was worked by naked light and ventilation was provided by a small furnace
It was reported that should conditions remain favourable then a daily output of 200 tons should be achievable for some years to come.
In 1851, due to an upturn in business, the Dowlais Iron Company sunk a new pit at Pant-y-Waun to supplement the then total annual coal output of the Company’s mines of 400,000 tons. Prior to this in 1750, mining activities existed in the Pantywaun area.
All pits were connected by tramways to the Rhymney Limestone Railway which was constructed to carry limestone from the quarries north of Pen-y-Garn Ddu to Rhymney Iron Works.
Pantywaun Pit was sunk in 1851 and mined both coal and ironstone (operational on OS map dated 1884 and shown disused on OS map dated 1901 2nd Edition). The estimated costs to enable the increased production of the two shafts being £11,000.