Opencast Coal Mining

Wimpey Mining was one of the United Kingdoms major Opencast Coal Mining Contractors with more than fifty years experience in the Opencast Coal mining Industry, this all ended when George Wimpey PLC sold Wimpey Mining to Miller Mining 1996, this short photo show covers four Opencast Coal Mining sites worked by Wimpey Mining in the Gwendraeth Valley West Wales and covering a period from 1978 to 1995

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Opencast Coal Mining
• Wimpey FFoslas

[generationll]

Great shots of the Cat 245 front shovel.Halfway thru this the mining equipment got considerably bigger.Love the shot at 6:00.Is the shovel being worked on at 6:52 a 190/195?

[1Plantmechanic]

The face shovel being worked on was a Ruston 195B, it was having a reconditioned drive tumbler fitted and was fitted with a modified 14 cubic metre bucket for loading Cat 785B dump trucks.

[1Plantmechanic]

You have to be 18 years old to operate machines in the opcast coal mining industry.

[1Plantmechanic]

All these mines have finished production, All Opencast Coal Mines have to be restored to agricultural land by law, the last site on the photo show called Ffoslas has been developed into an exultant hoarse racing course, all the Opencast Coal Mines on this photo show produced anthracite coal, there are only two Opencast Coal Mines working in Wales at this time.

Many thanks and best regards.

[sarah19766]

100% brilliant

[acre10100]

anyone know how old you need to be to work in the open cast?

[rlewis1946]

Are these mines still being worked? Does the government of Wales require reclamation of this land? Finally, what kind of coal was/is mined in these open pits? Thanks for posting! Roy Lewis Atlanta, Georgia USA

[BOMAGBANDIT]

I WORKED FOR WIMPEY FROM 1976 TO 1997 SOME ON COAL SITES BUT MOST ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.THEN TO THE END WITH MAXXIOM PLANT IN UPHALL GREAT TO SEE WIMPEY YELLOW AGAIN

[dmstoucan]

My Father worked on the open cast coal fields at Blackrod near Wigan in the 50s

[giantbicycle2]

Great Photos Mate really enjoyed them.

I still have fond memories of working at Butterwell OCCS in Morpeth Northumberland working on the 'Black Gang '. Happy Days!