Rihwgarn Colliery

Tonyrefail, Ely Valley (01568924)

This was a small level that was worked in the No.3 Rhondda seam and also one called Cilely. It worked this seam extensively at a thickness of around 42 inches. It was opened in 1901 by J. Morris and Company who held it until 1903. In 1904 it was owned by the Rhigarn Colliery Company and from 1906 to 1910 by Edmunds and Company of Tonyrefail and employed 14 men underground and 3 men at the surface in 1907 and 28 men in 1908. It was back in the hands of the Rhiwgarn Colliery Company in 1911 who abandoned it in 1912. It abandoned the No.3 Rhondda in December 1912.

On the 18th of July 1912, Thomas Gibbs, aged 25 years and a collier, died under a roof fall. A stone fell from a hidden slant, and after striking the edge of the tram, it fell upon and pinned him to the ground He died on December 3rd, 1912, from a fractured spine

Some statistics:

• 1901: Manpower: 2.
• 1902: Manpower: 2.
• 1905: Manpower:10.
• 1907: Manpower:17.
• 1908: Manpower:28.
• 1909: Manpower:28.
• 1910: Manpower:30.
• 1911: Manpower:30.
• 1912: Manpower:26.

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