Penallta Colliery
May 2016
Penallta colliery was sunk by the Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Company who began the sinking in 1906. In 1908 there were 291 men employed. The two shafts No. 1 (downcast) and 2 (upcast) were 783 and 750 yards deep respectively. The first coal was raised in 1909 and it was considered one of the most advanced collieries of this period using up-to-date coal cutting machinery.
By 1923 there were 2,395 men employed, producing from the Six Feet seam, and at peak production during the 1930s, there were in excess of 3,200 men employed. In 1930 it produced 975,603 tons, and in 1935 it held the European record for coal winding in a 24hr period. In the late 1940's the Meco-Moore Cutter Loader was installed, one of the first power loaders to be used in British mines.
During 1960 the shafts were extended to reach 800 yards as part of a scheme, which also included electrification of the shaft winding engines. This also made it the last deep working mine in the Rhymney Valley.
But access to coal was becoming more difficult, the colliery survived the 1984-1985 miners strike, and made impressive gains in production after the return to work. However the last shift, led by a brass band, left Penallta on November 1st 1991 marking the end of the colliery.
Penallta colliery was sunk by the Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Company who began the sinking in 1906. In 1908 there were 291 men employed. The two shafts No. 1 (downcast) and 2 (upcast) were 783 and 750 yards deep respectively. The first coal was raised in 1909 and it was considered one of the most advanced collieries of this period using up-to-date coal cutting machinery.
By 1923 there were 2,395 men employed, producing from the Six Feet seam, and at peak production during the 1930s, there were in excess of 3,200 men employed. In 1930 it produced 975,603 tons, and in 1935 it held the European record for coal winding in a 24hr period. In the late 1940's the Meco-Moore Cutter Loader was installed, one of the first power loaders to be used in British mines.
During 1960 the shafts were extended to reach 800 yards as part of a scheme, which also included electrification of the shaft winding engines. This also made it the last deep working mine in the Rhymney Valley.
But access to coal was becoming more difficult, the colliery survived the 1984-1985 miners strike, and made impressive gains in production after the return to work. However the last shift, led by a brass band, left Penallta on November 1st 1991 marking the end of the colliery.
