Abernant Colliery (Argoed)

Overview

The Bargoed Coal Company's two-shaft pit on the west bank of the Sirhowy near Argoed, which worked the Brithdir seam for smith and house coal from 1890 to 1932, linked underground with Llanover across the river.

History

Abernant Colliery stood on the west bank of the Sirhowy river near Argoed, opposite Llanover Colliery. The Bargoed Coal Company, a Brecon-registered concern, began sinking it in the 1880s; it was listed as sinking in 1888 under J. Jeremiah and the first coal came in 1890. The West pit was 489 feet deep and the East 495, both elliptical, reaching the Brithdir seam, also called the Pontygwaith, Tillery or Red Ash, at about 160 yards. The seam was generally 34 inches thick and was worked in a band three to four miles wide.

Output was 92,831 tons in 1894. In 1896, under Theodore Vachell, it employed 323 men; under William O'Connor there were 467 in 1908 and 483 in 1913, and during the First World War it produced what was called the finest smith coal in South Wales. It was linked underground with Llanover, which the company bought in 1906, and with a level at Hollybush; in 1923 the two pits together raised 250,000 tons. Its eastern boundary with Coed-y-Moeth Colliery was reached by 1895.

Manpower fell from 415 in 1930 to 200 in 1931 and 100 in 1932, when the Brithdir seam was abandoned on 30 September and the last coal was raised. From 1934 ten men kept it for pumping and maintenance, draining the neighbouring pits.

Geology

Coal Measures of the South Wales Coalfield. The Brithdir seam (also called the Pontygwaith, Tillery or Red Ash), about 230 yards below the Mynyddislwyn seam and generally 34 inches thick, gave household coal, and from 1923 coking, gas, steam and manufacturing coal as well.

Workings

Two elliptical shafts, the West (489 feet, 16 by 10 feet) and the East (495 feet, 16 by 11 feet), to the Brithdir seam; linked underground to Llanover Colliery and to a level at Hollybush.

Closure

The Brithdir seam was abandoned on 30 September 1932 and the colliery closed that year; from 1934 it was kept by a few men for pumping and maintenance, helping to drain the neighbouring pits.

What remains

Unknown.

Redevelopment

Unknown.

Related mines

• East Blaina Red Ash Colliery — Both belonged to the Bargoed Coal Company, which in 1934 kept 12 men at Abernant and 330 at East Blaina.
• Llanover Colliery — The Bargoed Coal Company linked Abernant and Llanover underground after buying Llanover in 1906; in 1923 they raised 250,000 tons between them.

What's uncertain

Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.

• The Bargoed Coal Company sank Abernant Colliery in 1880. (disputed) ³

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• The Bargoed Coal Co. Ltd began sinking the colliery in 1888; the first coal was mined in 1890. ^1,2
• The Bargoed Coal Company sank Abernant Colliery in 1880. (disputed) ³
• The West pit was 489 feet deep and 16 by 10 feet; the East pit 495 feet deep and 16 by 11 feet. ²
• The Brithdir seam was reached at 160 yards. ¹
• In 1896 it employed 279 men underground and 44 on the surface under Theodore Vachell. ^1,2
• During the First World War it employed nearly 500 men producing the finest smith coal in South Wales. ¹
• Linked underground to Llanover Colliery and to a level at Hollybush. ^3,4,1,2
• In 1923 Abernant and Llanover together produced 250,000 tons. ⁴
• The Brithdir seam was abandoned on 30 September 1932 and the colliery closed that year. ^3,1
• In 1934 it employed 4 men underground and 6 on the surface for pumping and maintenance only. ²

Photographs & further reading

Sources

1. (secondary) Welsh Coal Mines: Abernant Colliery, Argoed — Welsh Coal Mines
2. (secondary) Abernant Colliery — Northern Mine Research Society
3. (secondary) Upper Sirhowy Valley Community Woodlands: history — Caerphilly County Borough Council
4. (secondary) Llanover Colliery — Northern Mine Research Society

Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 9 October 2026