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Mount Kembla South Coal Mine (Australia)


The Southern Coal Company constructed a coal mine, comprising of a working working and a ventilation level, in 1887. Unfortunately this mine was closed in 1890 due to poor quality coal. Scrutiny of relevant internet mining sites do not reveal the name of the mine so I have called the mine Mount Kembla South. A walking guide [Best Bush, Coast & Village Walks of the Illawarra by J & G Souter] depicts a footpath deviating from the Mount Kembla Ring Track to this mine but this was not found on my first visit. A second visit located a very overgrown but relatively recent footpath originating at some short red marker posts on the right hand side of the ring track (walking anti-clockwise). This path heads approx. NE, veers to the right and then arrives at a substantial sandstone wall. Looking over the wall reveals an excavated flat area, overgrown with short bush, with a retaining wall on the northern side and side abutments tapering down on both sides. The quite large tunnels, at least 4m x 4m, are at either end of the retaining wall are securely grilled. The external and internal stonework is in excellent condition. The left hand tunnel was the operational level and the right hand the ventilation level. The guidebook states that the drifts penetrated 700m into the hillside. It is likely that this mine made a significant loss as it only lasted 3 years.There are remains of fixtures for a presumed ventilation fan. The whole complex faces out SE into the valley. The ring track is approx. 150m from, and significantly above, the mine and the area between is covered by fairly dense bush and trees. Hence the location can be difficult to find. Watch out for leeches!

Photos of Mount Kembla South Coal Mine

Photographs Of Mount Kembla South
Photographs Of Mount Kembla South (2 photos)
Last updated April 8th 2016 by larker
Historic Photographs Of Mount Kembla South
Historic Photographs Of Mount Kembla South (0 photos)
Last updated April 1st 2016 by larker

Google Earth Map of Mount Kembla South Coal Mine


Other location/mapping information:

Latitude: -34.444798
Longitude: 150.810598

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