Britain's largest coal mining company
Harworth
Located in the village of Bircotes nine miles south of Doncaster, Harworth Colliery has a history dating back to 1919 when the shafts were sunk by the Barber Walker Mining Company. Coal production began during 1924.
Recent modernisation schemes include new headgear structures to increase winding capacity and facilities to utilise most of the methane gas extracted from the mine for safety reasons.
Workings at the colliery, which employs 500 people, are the deepest in the country, with the No 2 shaft, used to wind men and materials,1,005 metres deep. The No 1 shaft is 897m deep, with coal extraction centred on the Parkgate seam some 1,000 metres below ground.
Investment of around £15m to open up new reserves is planned for 2004/5. Output goes mainly to the power stations in the Trent Valley.
