At 08:56 PM 11/5/02 -0500, Ian McKay wrote:

>I know this is a somewhat more general inquiry than the kind normally
>circulated on your interesting list, but here goes...

>I'm working on a short monograph about coal mining in Nova Scotia
>(Canada)-- more particularly, a study of one rural coalfield
>(Joggins-Chignecto) dominated by thin (approx. 4-foot-thick) seams of
>rather marginal quality. I'm exploring the connection between nature
>(the configuration of the seams and the quality of the coal) and
>social history (the distinctive patterns of settlement, class
>formmation and trade unionism found  in an area where people can farm
>and mine at the same time, smale-scale employers come and go, and
>many of the mines employed fewer than 50 people). Do any list members
>have recommendations for readings that explore similar topics in
>Britain? Are others working on the interface of environmental and
>labour history in related or contrasting ways? Are there  British
>coalfields that I ought to think about for purposes of comparison?

>Thanks for any help.



Hello Ian,


I don't know about Britain but there is one well-recorded area in Australia
which might interest you, although it was one of good coal, not as marginal
as you describe above.

The area I suggest is the Greta coalfield which extends from Greta (west of
Maitland in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales) southwards to
Cessnock and Millfield areas.  This old coalfield probably peaked in about
the 1920s.  The Greta seams were very thick and various villages sprang up
where there were collieries.  Trade union activities are very well
documented for these communities and their 'mining lodges', and published in
conjunction with the Newcastle museum from memory.  Moreover it can ALL be
purchased on CD-ROM or accessed via the web.  You'll find out about it via
Google search very easily I think but if not I could find the URL for you.
These mines worked down dip from outcrop to very considerable distances
until they mostly became uncompetitive with the new methods of large open
cuts being developed further up the Hunter Valley.

I recommend this area mainly because the history has been monographed so
well, preserved in much detail, and made readily available to all.  You can
wade through if for whatever you need, as there's all sorts of things there
about life in general back in those times.

As for marginal coal areas in Aus you have the Wonthaggi field and others;
but for them you'd maybe find geology and mining history quite easily but
little union history.  For the Greta coalfield I think you'll find a better
mix of all.


Kind Regards



John Byrnes,


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*  John G. Byrnes , Geologist , [log in to unmask]        *
*  NSW Department of Mineral Resources, MEA Section                *
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