COAL MINING

THE FUEL THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

• Coal was required in tremendous amounts during the Industrial Revolution.
• It was an easy, cheap and major power source for Great Britain.
• Steam engines, factories and even boats were powered!

Many miners faced countless dangers and sickness giving an average lifespan of 41 years. The environment was as you could say 'shape shifted' for coal mines as it destroyed hectares of land!

BEFORE THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

• Before the Industrial Revolution there were only two types of coal mines;
• Drift mines and bell pits.
• Both were little coal mines and were utilised in small nearby industries.

Coal: A Vigorous Powersource

Coal was much more vigorous form of power, providing three times more power than wood.

Quality of Life

The increasing demand for the power source led to deeper and deeper mines and an increased risk of flooding.This was not the only risk miners faced!

Sickness

Miners faced countless illnesses and diseases ranging from: cripples legs to stunted growth and eventually heart failure.

Employment, Wages and Residence

Anyone could work in the mines. Miners lived in company towns or coal patches, their income was slightly higher than those
working in factories.

Harmful and Toxic Waste

Every few weeks tons of 'coal sludge' from burned coal would be found near coal mines, toxic and harmful minerals were in this sludge.

High Demand for Wood

The sheer weight of the ground above a coal crease (or tunnel) was extraordinary and were just held up with wooden bars called 'props'. This also made a high demand for wood.

Transportation of Coal

Britain had an advantage over other European countries,the demand for coal was increasing. Other countries had their mines in forests or isolated areas whereas Great Britain had mines near the sea for easy transport