Although coal was found in the area near Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley in the early 1800s, exploratory work in the latter part of the century uncovered the true potential of the Greta coal seam, and a burst of collieries and mining towns followed.

 

Work was dangerous in the mines and there were many accidents over the years. Some areas of the Greta Seam were prone to spontaneous combustion, which was the cause of many mine fires. In 1905, six men were killed and others badly injured after an explosion and fire at Stanford Merthyr Colliery.

 

The Greta Seam in this mine was worked on the bord and pillar system, first by pick and shovel and shot firing and later, the mine installed its first coal cutting machine in 1928.

 

During 1949, mechanization was introduced with one Joy 10 RU coal cutter mounted on rubber tyres, one Joy 11 BU loader mounted on caterpillar tracks, and two Joy 10 SC shuttle cars.

Stanford Merthyr Colliery closed for good in 1957.

The photograph was taken by government geologist E. F. Pittman, circa 1916.

 

Photo courtesy of NSW Department of Primary Industries Image Library, Minerals Division.