The Mines

The No. 1 Mine was opened about 1899 by the Main Slope driven on the full pitch of the seam. According to the record presented by W.J. Dick in his report, the development of the Main Slope had reached below the No. 6 Level some 2,800 feet from the mouth of the slope by 1908. The dip at this point was 27 degrees. The coal was coming largely from workings located about one mile east of the slope. As the dop was increasing and a large portion of the coal was being hauled a considerable distance east of the Main Slope, the East Angle Slope was driven to improve haulage. Below No.9 Level, the dip increased to 40 degrees.

In 1915, No. 8 and No.9 East levels had reached the Plaster Fault where the coal was cut off. The Main Slope was bottomed at No.9 Level at which point the pitch was 40 degrees and the cover 1,600 feet.

No.6 West Level had run into faulted ground and dirty coal at a point some 2,500 feet west of the Main Slope. No.7 West Level was stopped for the same reason at a point about 1,800 feet west of the Main Slope.

Due to these conditions, the Company was forced into receivership in 1915. It was stated that mining operations were carried on under receiverships from 1915 to 1934, and an effort was made to overcome the problem of mining coal under conditions of increasing dip and heavy roof conditions. No. 9 West Level was extended from the Main Slope a distance of 4,00 feet in broken and faulted and dips in places exceeding 70 degrees. The East Angle Slope was extended to below No.11 Level and the coal mined to the eastern boundary at the Plaster Fault. The levels were also extended from the East Angle Slope to the Main Slope, a distance of 4,00 feet, where the dip increased to 65 degrees.

These operations were not successful and the receiver had to apply to the provincial government for assistance. From 1924 to 1933, the government guaranteed operations and, in December 1933, the provincial government took over full charge of operations.

Operations in No.1 Mine were discontinued on January 15, 1934, because the deputy inspector S.B. McNeil determined that a portion of the mine was unsafe. In his report, dated January 13, 1934, he said, “Many good reasons render this action necessary, the first of which is safety. The No.13 Angle Deep and No. 13 Level are continually closing and it seems impossible to keep them open with timber. Owing to the great pressure, the coal is ground to slack and must be sold for the price contained for slack. The pillar coal and no. 12 West and No. 12 East are also badly broken and over half of it is slack. I do not consider it safe, as a very slight bump would close No. 13 Level and Deep.”

Following the closing of the deep workings, development was pushed in the West Angle Slop from 1934 to 1937, and practically all the coal came from this section. The slope was driven from No.4 Level to intersect the Main Slope at a point 400 feet from the portal and driven from No. 4 Level to the deep. In 1937, the slope had reached below No. 8 Level. Nos. 5,6, and 7 levels were driven west but, at 1,500 to 2,000 feet from the slope, water seepages were encountered on each level which forced the abandonment of the workings.

No. 8 and No.9 levels were started east and west from the West Angle Slope and these workings had to be abandoned on account of the coal seam being split by mudstone and the dip has increased to 65 degrees. A creep of major proportions closed West Angle Slope in November 1938 from No. 5 to No. 8 Levels. The West Angle Operations were abandoned in January 1939. The East Angle operations had been closed in 1934 and, therefore, all production from the lower levels of No.1 ceased. The mine was allowed to fill with water up to a predetermined level.

Any attempt to resume operations in the old deep portions of Mine No.1 is not feasible.

The continuing effort of the Department of Mines to secure mine production from the upper levels of no. 1 Mine is recorded in the Annual Reports, from which the following facts are cited:

The mine operated throughout 1940, but the increasing thickness of the overlaying clay bands made it necessary to revise the method of mining. After much experimentation, a longwall was planned for No. 5 East Level. Equipment was purchased during the summer and the first cut was made on this wall late in November. It was stated that if the longwall system were successful, additional walls would be started in the near future.

Although the mine operated steadily throughout 1941, there were increased losses resulting from the operation. A headway was driven from No. 3 Level, No.1 Mine to the surface where it was proposed to erect a Bankhead. This headway was to eliminate approximately 6,000 underground haulage and considerable maintenance cost.

Workings off No. 3 East Level of Old No. 1 Mine were continued in 1943. On August 23rd, a portion of No. 3 East was sealed off on account of a fire.

No. 5 and No. 6 East Levels were advanced in 1944. Approximately 50,000 tons of mineable coal remained in this area of the mine. The coal preparation plant was improved by the installation of a vibrating screen and rearrangement of conveyors.

Operations in 1945 were confined to work on No. 3 East Level and most of the available coal was extracted. The boiler plant was closed down and an electrically-driven hoist and compressor were installed.

This mine was closed on May 3, 1946, as all available coal that could be recovered economically by way of No. 1 Slope had been mined.

This mine was opened about 1902 on the outcrop of the 7-Foot Seam to mine the coal immediately west of Big River. It was closed on December 31, 1904. From 1941 to 1945, the Rosebank No.1 Mine drew pillars in this mine.

The original No. 3 Mine on the 7-Foot Seam was known as the Old Hussey Mine. It was opened on January 1, 1903, and closed in 1904. According to J.H. MacLean, the seam in the area was about four feet thick and carried several small bands of the splint and carbonaceous shale with considerable iron pyrites and carbonate in the cleats. The record of operations in recent years as given in official annual reports is as follows:

In 1941, No. 3 Mine, formerly No. 3 Level of No. 1 Mine, reached the Plaster Fault and development was underway to tap the body of coal known to lie below the level and east of other old workings in No. 1 Mine. A strike, starting July 8, 1942, closed the mine; it was re-opened on August 30th. The workings in Old No. 3 Mine were large to the rise and were discontinued on account of the coal not being of merchantable quality. Slopes were driven from the No. 3 Level and coal was hauled on No. 3 Level a distance of 6,000 to the Main Slope where it was hoisted to the surface.

The Annual Report showed the amount of development done during 1943 but included no comment on the operating conditions and costs. Some remaining coal downdip of the old Inverness No. 3 Mine was mined by Angus MacLellan, who started to operate on a small scale in 1945.

This mine was opened on the 13-Foot Seam which lies 300 feet above the 7-Foot Seam. The seam contains several clay partings which make operations expensive and also prevent the mining of clean coal.

The mine was operated in 1920 by slopes driven at an angle to the east of the dip and levels were driven at 500-foot intervals. This was operated intermittently during the receiverships. It was closed and placed on a caretaking basis June 8, 1921, and remained closed until October 25, 1924. Exploratory work continued intermittently from 1926 to 1932, and No. 3 and No. 4 levels were opened. Very little coal was mined during this period. The government guaranteed operations to a limited extent during part of the period October 25, 1924, to December 14, 1933, at which time the government took over control and management of the property.

In 1934, it was decided to re-open No. 4 Mine and a rock tunnel was driven from the East Angle Slope of No. 1 Mine to connect with No. 4 Level in No. 4 Mine so as to provide haulage facilities through the East Angle Slope. The mine worked only intermittently from 1934 to 1937, on account of the heavy clay band in the seam. Experiments were carried on with various methods of mining, but with little success.

When operations in No. 1 Mine were curtailed, it was decided to give employment to more men in No. 4 Mine. The various mining difficulties on account of faults and clay bands were reported. In parts of the mine, the clay parting was more than 40 inches thick. Longwall was tried on No. 5 Level, but was not a success due to roof conditions and high sulphur in the top coal. Stone lenses occurred in the lower section of the seam, making it impossible to undercut in time to have the wall ready for operations to start on the loading shift. The high cost of upkeep of No. 5 Level, the cost of haulage and transfers to No. 5 Level and from there to the surface, on small output, made the operations impossible.

Owing to labour difficulties, the mine was idle part of the year in 1942. In a report dated April 14, 1942, Dr. Alan E. Cameron, then deputy minister of mines, gave the production from December 1, 1941, to March 31, 1942, as 16, 338 tons, and the operating loss due to No. 4 Mine as $33,194.15.

Dr. Cameron described very graphically the difficulty experienced in mining the 13-Foot Seam in No.4 Mine. This is relevant as it indicates the mining conditions that prevail in the 13-Foot Seam. The customary practice in the No. 4 Mine was to leave the top bench, which varied from 10 to 14 inches and had high ash and sulphur content. When high sulphur coal was left in the gob, it frequently caught fire and longwall sections of the No. 5 Level had to be sealed off on this account.

Below the rider coal, there was soft claystone that fell to the floor when the bottom bench was mined. When this falling stone did not exceed nine or ten inches, it was possible to stow it in the abandoned workings but, where the stone was of greater thickness, it had to be taken out of the mine. In many parts of the mine, the claystone was from two to four feet thick. The mining was carried on in the bench beneath this claystone and the coal measured from 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet 6 inches in thickness.

Stone lenses occurred occasionally at floor level and these prevented undercutting at floor level. The floor was soft clay and, this squeezed into roadways causing heaving of track and timber, resulting in high cost for maintenance.

Different methods of mining were tired under these difficult conditions of seam, roof, and floors, such as rooms across the pitch, rooms up the pitch, and shortwall and longwall mining. Efforts to support the claystone during the mining operation were not successful. It was difficult to produce clean coal due to the falling roof and the soft bottom. Claystone, splint coal, and high sulphur coal could not be kept out of the shipped product.

Longwall mining was attempted in 1935 and 1936, and again in 1940 and 1941. Due to heavy roof conditions, it was not feasible to keep the walls open.

Dr. Cameron concluded his report by saying, “It is the considered opinion of the chief inspector of mines, Mr. T.J. Casey, of the mine manager, Mr. W. Simpson, and myself that economical mining of merchantable coal from No. 4 Mine is not possible; losses will increase rather than decrease.

This mine was opened in 1941 at Inverside to recover the small body of coal in the 13-Foot Seam between the east workings of No.4 Mine and the Plaster Fault. The geologic conditions are somewhat the same as existed in No. 4 Mine, but the clay parting under the Rider Seam has been excessively thick and “washouts” have stopped mining at certain points. All in all, mining operations have been difficult and operating costs have been high due to the natural conditions and the fact that a large barrier had to be left between No, 4 and No. 5 mines on account of the impounded water in No. 4 Mine.

The record of No. 5 Mine, as given in the Annual Reports, may be summarized as follows: The mine was opened in 1941 with a production of 271 tons. Bankhead, hoist house, and washhouse were completed in 1941. Development of the mine was continued in 1942 and the slope was advanced 425 feet. The tonnage produced was 6,526 tons.

In 1943, the mine was further developed and additional equipment was installed. The slope was advanced 520 feet; No. 2 East Level advanced 740 feet; and No. 2 West, 288 feet. Production was 12,634 tons.

Development continued in 1944 and an additional air compressor was installed. The Main Deep was advanced 575 feet and No. 1 and No. 2 levels East and West were advanced. Production was 22,822 tons.

Development was continued in 1945 and the slope length was advanced 775 feet to a total of 2,100 feet. Two sets of levels were driven east of the slope a total distance of 1,400 feet. Operations were by the room and pillar method and all production up to this time was confined to the east side of the slope. On the north side of the area, the Big River runs parallel with the direction of the slope and this prohibited development work on the north side until such time as a greater depth of cover was reached. A larger ventilating fan was installed. Production was 29,629 tons.

The Main Deeps were advanced 630 feet during 1946 and the Main and Counter levels, 1400 feet. A large fault was encountered on the Main Slope between No. 4 and No.5 landings. Bad roof conditions in the South levels slowed development work and curtailed production. A fan house of brick and steel construction was completed and a building to house first-aid equipment and colliery offices was being built. Production was 46,861 tons.

Several faults were encountered in the sinking during 1947; this slowed development work. The slow was advanced 315 feet. Daily output was approximately 300 tons. On October 3rd, a smouldering fire, due to spontaneous combustion, was discovered in the old workings at the top of No. 1 Balance, No. 3 South Level. The area had to be sealed off. Production was 44,775 tons.

The Main Slope was extended 575 feet during 1948, making a total slope distance of 3,755 feet. As the slope advanced, the distance between the No. 4 Mine barrier to the west and the Plaster Fault on the easter decreased, thus limiting the area of mineable coal. The slope, therefore, was curved to the west so that, as it passes below the lower east corner of the mine barrier, the future length of the East Levels may be increased, thus allowing a two-sided mine operation in place of the present one-sided working. Nos. 3, 4, and 5 levels were driven west toward the barrier to provided more working places. Production was 33,362 tons.

The Main Slope was advanced 860 feet in 1949. Nine hundred feet of the Main Slope was brushed and retimbered between No. 2 and No. 5 levels are the roadbed from No. 4 Level to the face of the sinking, a distance of about 2,000 feet, was relaid with heavy rails. The clay bands thickened from four feet to nine feet in parts of the Main Deep but, in the lower workings, decreased to six and one-half feet. An attempt was made to hold this clay and mine the four and one-half feet of coal only. Preparations were in progress to install a conveyor in No. 8 West Level. Preparations were also being made to install 2,300-volt power to replace the 550-volt system. Two 40-HP pumps were installed during the year. No. 7 East Level was advanced 275 feet until it reached a washed-out area. The level was advanced 50 feet into this washed-out area in the hope that the thickness of the clay would be reduced and the coal seam would be thicker; however, the coal continued at two feet. The distance of the Plaster Fault was estimated at 200 feet and it was decided to discontinue driving the level. No. 6 East Level was driven to the Plaster Fault. Nos. 3, 4 and 5 West levels were started but, owing to the thickness of the clay in Nos. 4 and 5 levels, it was necessary to stop these 200 feet west of the slope. Production was 31,140 tons.

The Annual Report for 1950 states that a high percentage of development work was necessary in order to change the system of mining to a longwall method. During the months of April to September, the limited amount of screened coal produced in development had to be sold at a reduced price. The West Angle Deep was sunk 50 feet in order to reach the depth required for No. 9 West Level. The total slope distance from the face of the West Angle Deep to the surface was 4,300 feet. It was necessary to brush and retimber several hundred feet of the main slope and return airways. The height of clay on top of the coal continued at 80 inches to the point reached in the deep and the height of the coal seam was 50 inches.

At the close of the year in 1948, it was felt that the upper portion of the clay could be held by steel booming; this method was tried, but last year it was beginning to show weight and the booms had to be taken down and the places retimbered. Short uphill walls did not prove to be economical, owing to a large amount of clay that had to be handled. In September 1950, a longwall system was commenced on 9 West Level and advanced 140 feet during the balance of the year. Production was 18,080 tons.

MacDonald No. 1 Mine

The Margaree Steamship Company, Ltd., began mining operations in 1943 on the pillars left in the old Inverness mine workings on the 7-Foot Seam. The mine is entered by way of Old No. 2 Slope, formerly operated by the Inverness Coal Company. The slope was advanced 350 feet and the West Level, 400 feet. Production was 1,452 tons.

In 1944, the slope was advanced 225 feet and West levels advanced 900 feet. Production was 6,574 tons. The Bankhead was enlarged in 1945 and a 40-HP electrically driven hoist was installed. Undercutting machines were installed and shaker conveyors with duckbills were to be installed soon. Production was 9,286 tons.

The Main Slope was advanced 400 feet during 1946. Two undercutting machines were in use and four duckbill loading units were ready to be put in operation when conditions warranted. Production was 17,002 tons.

In 1947, production was 16,657 tons. Pillars near the outcrop were mined. Coal was undercut by machines but handed loaded onto conveyors. In 1948, the slope was advanced 365 feet; No. 2 Level was advanced 800 feet and No. 3 Level, 365 feet. The room and pillar system was being used. Production was 30,867 tons. The estimated life of the operation is less than one year.

MacDonald No. 2 Mine

In 1947, the Margaree Steamship Company, Ltd., started opening a new mine on the 34-inch Seam about 500 yards northeast of old No. 4 Mine. The geologic interval between the two seams is about 265 feet. The mine was to be entered by a slope.

During the year 1948, the slope advanced 160 feet. A 25-HP electric hoist and a small fan with tubing were installed. Due to an excessive flow of water, this mine was temporarily idle, pending the arrival and installation of adequate pumping equipment. Production was 64 tons.

The Main Slope advanced 50 feet in 1949. Two new pumps were added but due to a great deal of water, there was considerable difficulty in advancing the slope. New equipment received, but not installed, included the following: one 50-HP coal cutter, one scraper loader hoist, and one electric tugger. Production was 451 tons.

The Annual Report for 1950 stated that the Main Slope was down 725 feet and the second slope, 150 feet. The slope was 10 feet wide and the bottom was taken to give a travelling height of seven feet. The flow of water through cracks in the roof amounted to 50 gallons per minute and there was much difficulty in maintaining the electric equipment in working condition. A mining plan was approved by the Department of Mines. Production was 313 tons.

MacDonald No. 3 Mine

Permission was granted in 1947 to the Margaree Steamship Company, Ltd., to re-open the old West Angle Slope of No. 1 Mine. This old slope had been abandoned some years ago due to a crush developing on the main roadway, closing off the lower workings. A new roadway was opened to reclaim some coal on the west side of the deep.

The Annual Report for 1948 stated that a temporary Bankhead was replaced by a new Bankhead, 110 feet long; it was ready for the installation of a new screening plan. A hoist building was erected and a hoist driven by a 75-HP motor was installed. The coal was cut by a Siskel. A new screen was put into operation early in 1949, also an additional Siskol coal cutter and one Goodman coal cutter. Shaker drive and pan line were transferred from No. 1 Mine to equip the new wall on No. 1 Level. The East Slope was advanced 250 feet and the West Sinking advanced 80 feet. Production was 9,408 tons. In 1950, the production was 17, 507 tons. The estimated life of the operation is less than two years.

Campbell Mine

This mine, operated by Archibald J. Campbell was producing from a small block of crop coal on the north side of the old slope of No. 4 Mine. After considerable cleaning and timbering were done on the old slope and a Bankhead erected, hoisting of coal was started in October 1944. Production for that year was 180 tons.

A small addition was built to the bankhead in 1945 and a new 200-HP electrically driven hoist was installed. An electrically driven compressor, having a capacity of 300 feet per minute, was installed. Production was 4,629 tons.

No extensive improvements were undertaken during 1946. The intake airway, which was partially blocked with a falling roof, was cleaned up and fans were installed on the surface. Production was 8, 449 tons.

Operations were continued throughout 1947. A timberman was killed by a fall of stone on the Main Deep while doing some repair work. Production was 6,627 tons.

During 1948, the bankhead was enlarged and a new coal pock was constructed. The coal was cut by a radial machine and loaded in boxes by hand. Production was 9,784.

In 1949, the mine worked single shift, employing 15 men. The production was 7,813.

During 1950, the production was 5,232 tons. The operation had a life of less than one year.

Rosebank Mines

From 1941 to 1946, Rosebank No. 1 Mine drew pillars from the old workings in the crop coal of the 7-Foot Seam of Inverness Mine No. 1. In 1943, the slope was advanced 150 feet and the shaft sunk 55 feet. Production was 1,064 tons.

In 1944, sinking was advanced 50 feet and the air course advanced 175 feet west. Production was 1,064 tons.

In 1945, advanced work reached the old workings of No. 2 Slope, which was operated by the Inverness Coal Company many years ago. Production for 1945 was 2,411 tons.

The original Rosebank Mine (No.1) was closed in May 1946 due to all available coal being extracted and all the equipment was transferred to Rosebank Mine No. 2. Production for that year was 928 tons.

Rosebank Mine No.2 also operated in the 7-Foot Seam. A shaft 82 feet in depth was completed during 1947 and a coal pocket of 80 tons capacity was erected on the bankhead. The coal was undercut with a Siskol machine and loaded by hand. The development work in 1947 consisted of driving a pair of deeps a distance of 275 feet. Production was 1,926 tons.

The development work in 1948 consisted of driving a pair of deeps a distance of 900 feet. A new hoist was installed. Production was 3,999 tons.

In 1949, two screens were installed at the surface plant. Production was 4,423 tons. The mine was entered by a shaft 80 feet deep and the airshaft of old No. 3 Mine served as an intake airway and second opening.

In 1950 production was 5,640 tons. At the present rate of production, this operation had a life of about five years.

MacLellan Mine

This mine on the 7-foot Seam is situated in Inverside on the west bank of Big River about one mile from the Town of Inverness. Pillar coal left in the old workings of Inverness Mine was being removed in this operation which started in 1943. The slant was advanced 25 feet and production was 144 tons in 1943.

In 1944, the slant was advanced 79 feet and the air course, 164 feet. Production for that year was 777 tons.

In 1945, the production was 2,399 tons and was disposed of locally. The main sinking was advanced 75 feet during the year; No. 2 Level, 700 feet. A 30-HP gasoline-driven hoist was installed and the Bankhead enlarged sufficiently for two new coal pockets. Production was 2,399 tons.

In 1946, the deeps were advanced 100 feet during the year. No. 3 and No. 4 levels were advanced 350 feet. Radial machines were used for undercutting and the coal was loaded by hand. Production was 2,676 tons.

The development work in 1947 consisted of advancing the Main Deep 110 feet. A new washhouse was built during the year. Production was 2,981 tons.

A new hoist was installed during 1948 and the bankhead was enlarged and strengthened. Due to a heavy feeder of water being encountered in No. 2 West, production was suspended for August and September while a dam was being constructed. Production was 2,064 tons.

During 1949, the narrow work advanced a total distance of 600 feet. A new pump was installed and a screen was set up and other improvements made to the bankhead. Production was 1,607 tons.

In 1950 the production was 1,857 tons. The life of the operation was estimated as less than two years.