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Mining In The Yorkshire Region
CoalLike other areas in the UK which had shallow seams, the East Pennine coalfield was one of the earliest which was worked for coal. As with the Northumberland-Durham coalfield, being near the east coast meant that coal could be obtained and sent out quickly and easily, so transport links were established between the coalfields and ports such as Goole and Hull. Being near coal meant that other industries were established in the region and Yorkshire coal was used to power machinery in the textile, woollen and iron and steel industries. The Yorkshire region employed the largest number of miners in the UK. In 1954 more than 100 pits were employing over 153,000 people. The gradual decline of the coal mining industry, which was hastened by the after effects of the miners' strike in 1984-1985, has meant that this is one of the areas that has suffered the most and by 2006 less than 2,000 people were working in coal mining in Yorkshire. |
Canary in gas testing cage |
One of the most dramatic events of the 1984-1985 strike took place at the Orgreave coking plant near Rotherham in South Yorkshire and was called 'The Battle Of Orgreave' as pickets confronted police.
Other Minerals
Other minerals such lead, ironstone, alum and potash have played their part, especially on the North Yorkshire coast. For information on these minerals go to our North East England page.
The following links give more information on mining and minerals in Yorkshire:
Ackworth School Mining History Project.
Engaging The Mining Communities Of South and West Yorkshire.
Lead Mining In The Yorkshire Dales.
South Yorkshire Mining Advisory Service.
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
More images can be seen in our Yorkshire image gallery.
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