Coal was worked in this vicinity from the late 1700sThe Engine pit was sunk to the Hutton seam in 1943 and was purchased by James Joicey in 1847. It was operated by him and his brother John under the company name 'The Owners of South Tanfield Colliery'.
In 1853 the company took the name 'James Joicey and Co' . The company operated several mines in the area including the nearby Twizell Burn Drift [NZ 246518]
The colliery was abandoned in August 1938.