Denbighshire Coalfield: Difference between revisions
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The '''Denbighshire Coalfield''' in north-east [[Wales]] is one of the smaller [[Great Britain|British]] coalfields. It extends from near [[Caergwrle]] in the north, southwards through [[Wrexham]], [[Ruabon]] and [[Rhosllannerchrugog]] to [[Chirk]] in the south. A small part extends into [[Shropshire]] around [[Oswestry]]. Beyond Caergwrle the coal-bearing [[stratum|strata]] continue northwards as the [[Flintshire Coalfield]] |
The '''Denbighshire Coalfield''' in north-east [[Wales]] is one of the smaller [[Great Britain|British]] coalfields. It extends from near [[Caergwrle]] in the north, southwards through [[Wrexham]], [[Ruabon]] and [[Rhosllannerchrugog]] to [[Chirk]] in the south. A small part extends into [[Shropshire]] around [[Oswestry]]. Beyond Caergwrle the coal-bearing [[stratum|strata]] continue northwards as the [[Flintshire Coalfield]]. Together the two coalfields are known as the [[North Wales Coalfield]].<ref name=northwalesminers>{{cite web |url=http://northwalesminers.com/geology.htm |title=Mines of the North Wales Coalfield|publisher=North Wales Miners Association Trust Ltd. |accessdate=25 April 2016}}</ref> |
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==History== |
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The shallower parts of the Denbighshire Coalfield were worked extensively in the early nineteenth century, most of the coal being used in the iron industry. In the mid-nineteenth century, much deeper pits were established and a network of railways was built in the Wrexham area to transport the coal.<ref>{{cite book|author=Royle, Edward |title=Issues of Regional Identity: In Honour of John Marshall |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=5shRAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA210 |year=1998 |publisher=Manchester University Press |isbn=978-0-7190-5028-2 |pages=210–213}}</ref> |
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A report on the North Wales Coalfield in the 1950s found that the reserves of coal were running low and that in the Denbighshire Coalfield, the geology of the coal-bearing strata dipped rapidly rendering it unlikely that the coalfield could be further developed.<ref name=northwalesminers/> The last deep mine to operate in the coalfield was [[Bersham Colliery]] which closed in 1986. Prior to this time, as many as 38 collieries had been in operation across the area, with a peak output in excess of 2.6 million tons, and giving employment at the height of production to some 12,000 men.<ref>[http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/heritage/bersham_colliery.htm WCBC: Bersham Colliery Mining Museum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Several [[coal seam]]s are named in the sequence. All of the seams occur within the Bettisfield Formation with the exception of the Morlas which occurs in the Coed-yr-Allt Formation. The seams are listed stratigraphically with the uppermost (youngest) at the head of the list and the lowermost (oldest) at the foot.<ref> |
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==Coal seams== |
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| ⚫ | Several [[coal seam]]s are named in the sequence. All of the seams occur within the Bettisfield Formation with the exception of the Morlas which occurs in the Coed-yr-Allt Formation. The seams are listed stratigraphically with the uppermost (youngest) at the head of the list and the lowermost (oldest) at the foot.<ref>{{cite web |url= |title=Bedrock Geology: UK South'', 1:625,000 scale geological map (5th edn) |year=2007 |work=British Geological Survey |accessdate=25 April 2016}}</ref> |
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* Morlas |
* Morlas |
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* Bersham Yard Group; from Alpha (or Alpha Rider) through Beta Rider, Beta and Gamma to Delta (or Delta Bench) |
* Bersham Yard Group; from Alpha (or Alpha Rider) through Beta Rider, Beta and Gamma to Delta (or Delta Bench) |
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[[Category:Coal mining in Wales]] |
[[Category:Coal mining in Wales]] |
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[[Category:Geography of Wrexham County Borough]] |
[[Category:Geography of Wrexham County Borough]] |
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{{Wrexham-geo-stub}} |
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{{mining-stub}} |
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Revision as of 08:07, 25 April 2016
The Denbighshire Coalfield in north-east Wales is one of the smaller British coalfields. It extends from near Caergwrle in the north, southwards through Wrexham, Ruabon and Rhosllannerchrugog to Chirk in the south. A small part extends into Shropshire around Oswestry. Beyond Caergwrle the coal-bearing strata continue northwards as the Flintshire Coalfield. Together the two coalfields are known as the North Wales Coalfield.[1]
History
The shallower parts of the Denbighshire Coalfield were worked extensively in the early nineteenth century, most of the coal being used in the iron industry. In the mid-nineteenth century, much deeper pits were established and a network of railways was built in the Wrexham area to transport the coal.[2]
A report on the North Wales Coalfield in the 1950s found that the reserves of coal were running low and that in the Denbighshire Coalfield, the geology of the coal-bearing strata dipped rapidly rendering it unlikely that the coalfield could be further developed.[1] The last deep mine to operate in the coalfield was Bersham Colliery which closed in 1986. Prior to this time, as many as 38 collieries had been in operation across the area, with a peak output in excess of 2.6 million tons, and giving employment at the height of production to some 12,000 men.[3]
Coal seams
Several coal seams are named in the sequence. All of the seams occur within the Bettisfield Formation with the exception of the Morlas which occurs in the Coed-yr-Allt Formation. The seams are listed stratigraphically with the uppermost (youngest) at the head of the list and the lowermost (oldest) at the foot.[4]
- Morlas
- Bersham Yard Group; from Alpha (or Alpha Rider) through Beta Rider, Beta and Gamma to Delta (or Delta Bench)
- Upper Stinking
- Warras
- Lower Stinking (known as Brassy at former Moreton Hall Colliery)
- Powell
- Hollin
- Crank
- Quaker
- Main (was known as Six Foot at Quinta Colliery, Bottoms at Preesgwyn Colliery, Bind and Bench at Moreton Hall Colliery and Yard in the Oswestry area)
- Crown
- Upper Red
- Lower Red
- Cannel
- Fireclay Group (includes Stone, Half Yard, Firedamp, Bottom Four Foot and Two Foot seams)
- Nant
- Ruabon Yard
- Premier
- Llwyneinion Half Yard
- Chwarelau
The Smiths seam, which lies between the Main seam and the Lower Stinking seam was known as the Upper Yard at Moreton Hall Colliery and Rover at Oswestry Colliery.
References
- ^ a b "Mines of the North Wales Coalfield". North Wales Miners Association Trust Ltd. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
- ^ Royle, Edward (1998). Issues of Regional Identity: In Honour of John Marshall. Manchester University Press. pp. 210–213. ISBN 978-0-7190-5028-2.
- ^ WCBC: Bersham Colliery Mining Museum
- ^ "Bedrock Geology: UK South, 1:625,000 scale geological map (5th edn)". British Geological Survey. 2007.
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