Risca Black Vein Colliery Coal Mine (United Kingdom)
Risca Black Vein Colliery was started approx 1841 after the aquisition of Waun Fawr Colliery by John Russell. The pit was unpopular being called 'the death pit' , as there were several fatal accidents due to gas. 1860 saw the worst event when 146 died whilst the mine was being operated by the Risca Colliery Co. The victims are commemorated with a memorial on the other side of the valley. Around 200 lives in total were lost in its early years. The 1860 explosion resulted in the bankruptcy of the company and by 1872 it was owned by the London and South Wales Coal Co who sank new shafts further to the north becoming the 'New Pits'.
In 1878 Black Vein was to become the main ventilation shaft for the North Risca Black vein Colliery.
The Black Vein Colliery system closed in 1921. the site is now lost due to landscaping and the building of the Risca bypass.
Photos of Risca Black Vein Colliery Coal Mine
Historic Photographs Of Risca Black Vein Colliery
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Last updated September 3rd 2009 by
Dai the Pitman
Photographs Of Risca Black Vein Colliery
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Last updated June 6th 2009 by
ICLOK
Google Earth Map of Risca Black Vein Colliery Coal Mine
Other location/mapping information:
Latitude: 51.6144
Longitude: -3.11203
Landranger grid reference: ST231912
Easting: 323100
Northing: 191200