In 1971 a completely new mine was created at Darkes Forest to mine the western reserves of the Coalcliff mine leases. An access shaft was sunk, Administration and Bathhouse buildings were erected and a fully automatic personnel carrying lift and a mine ventilation fan installed on the shaft.
The Darkes Forest mine operated as a completely separate entity, dependent however, on the Coalcliff surface facilities and that mine's underground and surface infrastructure for the supply and delivery plant and materials to and from underground. All coal produced by the mine was delivered by the Darkes Forest/Coalcliff underground panel/trunk conveyor systems to the Coalcliff Coal Preparation Plant at Coalcliff. Acknowledgement / link: http://www.illawarra-heritage-trail.com.au/index.php/sites/jetty-mine-csa-composite/jetty-mine