Summary
Commissioned by the Joint Coal Board, this episode introduces the viewer to the importance of coal to industry and society, highlighting its use in energy, iron and steel production.
A treasure trove of footage depicting Australian industry, society and mining in the 50s, 60s and 70s, it includes extensive and high quality footage of underground mechanised mining in New South Wales. This includes coal cutting and loading, methods of mining, dust suppression, roof support, shot firing and coal transportation. There is vision of coal fired power stations, steelworks, brickworks and cement works, coal being exported via shipping, open cut mining, underground mechanised longwall mining, as well as the establishment of the Joint Coal Board to modernise the coal industry. Underground safety, a scientific approach to coal extraction and use, important byproducts of coal, a focus on the welfare and health of miners and their communities are topics also covered.
Special Notes/Achievements
This is the first of fifteen films in the Fitzgerald Collection.
Author: J Bird, 2023