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1994 - Page 33

Calverton Re-Opened

On 23rd May 1994, RJB Mining re-opened Calverton (Nottinghamshire) with 140 men. (Robert J Hallam (11252) continued as Manager). Top Hard seam was leased for 10 years. British Coal had closed the mine in November 1993.

Prince Charless Visit

Prince Charles visited the old Miners Welfare at Newstead in May and met ex miners, then went on to Mansfield Town Hall to meet the civic dignitaries.

Golf Course

A 130 acre golf course was opened on the old tip at the closed colliery at Hucknall (Nottinghamshire).

Public Hearing On Fatalities At Bilsthorpe

Also in May 1994, a public hearing was held at Nottingham University regarding the disastrous fall at Bilsthorpe (Nottinghamshire) where 3 men were killed, and although roof bolting was deemed not to blame, in future all skin to skin developments (i.e. where a new gate is driven very close alongside an old gate) were to be abandoned within days. (Although the Mines Inspector stated that the roofbolting was not to blame in my opinion the pressure arch over the gate would have been fractured by the previous working and it is possible that the bolting may not have been as solid as was thought. Of course this is purely my own personal view and I could be wrong, however I base this statement on seeing many examples of broken roadways being driven within a few feet (m) at the side of old gates, but these gates were supported by arches and not supported by roof bolts.)

Harworth Shaft Deepening

At Harworth (Nottinghamshire), the shaft deepening of app 50m to the Deep Soft seam since 1992, thirled to the new pit bottom in May 1994. A pit designed stretcher ambulance was operational also.

Largest Underground Vertical Bunker

At Asfordby in June 1994, the largest yet underground vertical storage bunker at 44 yards (40m) deep and 34’ 6” (10.5m) diameter, with a capacity of 3,000 tonnes, was commissioned. Manpower was 670 including 220 contractors. The colliery although sunk in Leicestershire was taken over by British Coal Nottinghamshire Area and subsequently managed by quite a few staff, and with a large turnover in a short time. Nobody seemed to stay in a high management position for very long! Why?

High Speed Continuous Miner

At Bilsthorpe (Nottinghamshire) the first Dosco SL120 high speed continuous miner was introduced on 46s Parkgate district. The first BJD 1038HH continuous miner was installed at Welbeck.

UDM Conference

The UDM Conference was held at Berry Hill Union Office, Mansfield for one day only in June 1994, and not as previously, 2 days at Weymouth, whereas the NUM Conference was held at a Convalescent Home in Blackpool, attended by 60 members.

Railwaymen Strikes

On the railways, there were around 20 one day strikes by MRT Signalmen between June and September affecting some coal traffic in the area.

Record Advance

In July, there was a record advance of 61m in 24 hours at Welbeck (Nottinghamshire), using an Eimco Duo-bolter creating square profile. The drilling rig at 5.64m long had 4 wheel steering. Also on 302s Parkgate face, 3,419m was cut in a 12 hour shift, with a Joy 4LS shearer, cutting at 10 metres per minute, giving 6.17 shears per shift, averaging 9,329 tonnes / day and 46,643 tonnes for the week from 91.2 strips.
An Anderson KBII 500Kw continuous miner/bolter some 12m long and 85 tonnes in weight was installed at Thoresby.

Manpower

  • Manpower at July 1994: Asfordby 369 men underground and 40 surface plus 209 contractors underground and 146 surface
  • Bilsthorpe 400/61 plus 190/74 contractors
  • Manton now closed, 68/33 contractors
  • Harworth 428/74 plus 373/109 contractors
  • Ollerton closed, 99/81 contractors
  • Thoresby 442/67 plus 324/87 contractors
  • Welbeck 487/91 plus 88/58 contractors.

Coal Stocks High


Rufford

Coal stocks at the pits were at quite high levels of around 0.25m tonnes up to 0.5m tonnes with the Area stocking site at Rufford holding over 1m tonnes, giving a total of 3,581,000 tonnes approximately.

Parliament

Employment Secretary 23rd July 1994-1995 Michael Portillo (Con) absorbed by Education.

National Reference Tribunal

A National Reference Tribunal on 25th July 1994 gave the miners a second chance to sign up for a £6,000 pay and conditions package, up and until 31st August.