Summary
Extended footage of contemporary underground coal mining operations at United Collieries in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Given the gaseous and explosive nature of underground coal mines, especially when coal is being cut at the coal face, this was the first time in decades that a film crew were granted access to an operating underground coal mine in Australia.
The footage features miners traveling underground in mine transport vehicles, mining machinery, miners arriving for their shift, coal being transported on conveyor belts, miners operating the longwall machinery and monitoring gas levels, longwall coal cutting and automatic advance, dust suppression, safety gear check, miners exiting the mine and exiting vehicle above ground, returning lamps and self-rescuers, and entering the bath house.
Special Notes/Achievements
Noteworthy contemporary footage of underground coal mining filmed for the documentary Last Stand At Nymboida 2010.
Commissioned by the Mineworkers Trust.
Author: J Bird, 2023