Coalminers at the Paparoa Coal Mine, Paparoa Range.1900`s.

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DescriptionCoal mining was hard graft in the early 1900`s.The Paparoa Coal co. was formed in 1905 to acquire a lease of 500 acres, later increased by 197 acres.Development of this mine was a major task, involving the construction of two miles of standard gauage centre-rail railway, 50 chains of endless-rope incline haulage,two tunnels respectively 20 and 53 chains,a viaduct 12 chains long, and bins of 4500 capacity.( One chain 20.5 metres)
Coal from the first workings in the No.1 seam was shipped in 1909.Operating costs were high an the company ran into liquidation in 1915.Mining continued on a small scale, and apart from strikes in 1918 and 1920,more or less interruptedly until 1928 when the company found mining unprofitable and ceased to work.Later that year a party of 15 miners leased the mine on tribute and considerably improved output per man is recorded.The company later resumed control and in 1930, a short, very steep tramway was built. Disaster struck in 1940 when a massive storm created a flood which poured into the mine.Date of PhotoBetween 1st January 1900 and 31st December 1910Map^[1]External LinkCoaltown MuseumContributorHeather Newby

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Location (city or town)Paparoa RangeOrganisation (eg business)Paparoa Coal Co.

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Category TagCoal Mining

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Coalminers at the Paparoa Coal Mine, Paparoa Range.1900`s.

Editing is temporarily disabled