The Johnson Mine was opened around 1988 by Viv Griffin of Griffin & Sons Ltd, whilst owned by Viv Griffin, Bernard Llewellyn opened it on behalf of Viv Griffin with his company (Ffynonau Duon Mines Ltd). In 1992 it was stated that the colliery has ceased production and will be working again in the near future and Bernard suggested taking over the mine from Viv Griffin.
A new mining licence was granted to Ffynonau Duon Mines Ltd in late 1993 to work the Big Vein Seam, the owners brought in a mining company called Caledonian Mining Co. Ltd, to complete a small bit of work underground. The mine ceased production in 1998 and was abandoned 5 days later.
The mine was bought by Caledonian Mining Co. Ltd and was later taken over by RICHE GROUP LTD.
RICHE GROUP LTD worked the mine up until early 2013, working the Four Foot Seam RICHE GROUP LTD closed the mine in 2013 and deemed it abandoned a few weeks later. Today only the two drifts remain and a few bits of machinery above and below ground.