BIG ARCH COLLIERY

Abersychan, Afan Lwyd Valley (257037)

The Big Arch which is now Grade 2 listed, the level was the other side of the arch, and to the right. This level was worked under license from the National Coal Board in the 1970s (1970 – 1985) by the Tranch Elled Colliery Company. It replaced the old Tranch Elled level and was itself replaced by the Winstone level in 1982.

It produced around 3,500 tons of coal annually with about 12 men employed.

 

CWM GLO VARTEG COLLIERY

Varteg, Afan Lwyd Valley (SO262064)

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1986 to 1990 by Tillings and Desmond, and in 1990 to 1993 by Tillings and Evans. It was abandoned in 1994 having worked the Meadow Vein, Yard Vein and Seven-Feet for steam coals.

 

CWM Y GLO  (SO262063)

This short-lived level was opened by R.L. Tillings and M. Desmond in 1986. They worked it until 1990 when Desmond was replaced by M. Evans as a partner. After working the Meadow Vein, Yard and Seven-Feet seams it closed in 1994.

 

GRAIGWEN COLLIERY

Abersychan, Afan Lwyd Valley (248051)

Gilbert and Smith first attempted to open this mine in 1972, but planning permission problems delayed the start of it until 1979. The aim was to work 113 acres of the Tillery (Brithdir) seam. Without starting production this level passed into the hands of J. Badland who completed the surface layout and started to open up underground but he sold it in 1983 to the Wales Mining Group Limited who held it until 1986 when it went to the Adara Estates Ltd., there was another change of owners in 1988 when the Glantref Colliery Company had a go, but they failed and the level closed in 1989 being abandoned in 2003.

A Graig Wen (253052) in this area is listed as abandoning the Elled seam in February 1916.

 

GRIFFIN COLLIERY

Abersychan, Afan Lwyd Valley (259034)

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in the period 1972 to 1986 by Griffin & Son (Pwlldu) Limited of Blackwood. It closed in January 1986.

It worked the Old Coal seam employing around five men and producing 1,826 tons of coal in 1982.

 

MOUNT PLEASANT LEVEL (251039)

This short-lived level worked between 1967 and 1975. It was owned from 1967 to 1968 by Strong Developments Ltd and from 1969 to 1975 by Forest Clays Ltd.

 

Information supplied by Ray Lawrence and used here with his permission.

 

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