Manmoel Colliery

Near Argoed, Sirhowy Valley

This was a series of levels that worked the Mynyddislwyn seam from as early as 1816. There were air pits at 180021, 180022, 182024 & 183024 plus the main entrance at 180017. They were owned in 1860/5 by Sir Thomas Phillips and in 1870 by Thomas Phillips Price and in 1878 by the Manmole Colliery Company when it was managed by T. Stewart. In 1888/96 it was owned and managed by C. Pond, in 1896 they employed 17 men underground and 5 men on the surface.

In 1900 it employed 24 men underground and 6 men at the surface of the mine, the manager and owner was still Christopher Pond. It was still owned by Mr. Pond in 1902 when it was producing coking, gas, house and manufacturing coals while in 1903 it employed 40 men. In 1907 it employed 6 men working underground and 2 men at the surface and was still with Pond.

In 1924 a Manmoel was being opened at NGR 181019 by Edward Charles Morgan, with a No.2 completed in 1925 – they were abandoned in November 1925. In 1945 a Manmoel at NGR 175045 was owned by the Manmole Colliery Company of Argoed and employed 8 men underground and 1 man on the surface. It worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1947/9 by W. and T. Bowditch (Manmoel Colliery Company). It was abandoned in 1949.

This information has been provided by Ray Lawrence, from books he has written, which contain much more information, including many photographs, maps and plans. Please contact him at welshminingbooks@gmail.com for availability.