Graig y Fforest No.2 Colliery (Pinetrees)

Overview

A drift mine high on the Rheola forestry at Pentreclwydau, worked the small Red Vein seam with pit ponies and later a conveyor, before being joined underground to the neighbouring Elwyn Colliery around 1991 and finally closed in 1993.

History

Graig y Fforest No.2 Colliery, also known as Pinetrees, worked the Red Vein seam — only 2 feet 9 inches thick — at Rheola Forestry, Pentreclwydau. It was owned by the Graig y Fforest Colliery Company in the 1970s, the Pinetree Coal Mining Company from 1979 to 1989, and Ryan Mining Ltd from 1990 to 1992. Coal was hauled using five named pit ponies before a conveyor was later installed. Around 1991 Graig y Fforest No.2 was joined underground to the neighbouring Elwyn Colliery, after which its coal was brought out through Elwyn's own drift rather than its own. From that point the combined workings were reported as "Elwyn Pinetrees", worked by the Tower Anthracite Company (which had run Elwyn itself since 1971) until 1992, and then by Ward Brothers, who finally closed the combined mine in 1993.

Geology

Worked the Red Vein seam of the South Wales Coalfield's anthracite belt.

Workings

A drift worked the Red Vein seam (2ft 9in thick) with pit ponies, later a conveyor; joined underground to Elwyn Colliery c.1991, after which coal came out through Elwyn's own drift.

Closure

Closed in 1993 under Ward Brothers, as the combined "Elwyn Pinetrees" workings, having been physically joined underground to Elwyn Colliery around 1991.

What remains

Unknown.

Related mines

• Elwyn Colliery — Joined underground to Elwyn Colliery around 1991, after which its coal was brought out through Elwyn's own drift; the combined workings were reported as "Elwyn Pinetrees".

Nearby mines

• Rhigos Colliery — 2.5 km E
• Elwyn Colliery — 2.7 km NW
• Nant Hir Colliery — 2.8 km NW
• Rhondda Mountain Colliery — 2.8 km N
• Glyn Neath Colliery — 2.9 km N

Straight-line distance, within 15 km. Show on the map.

Recorded claims

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

• Worked the Red Vein seam (2ft 9in thick) using pit ponies, later a conveyor; owned by the Graig y Fforest Colliery Company in the 1970s, the Pinetree Coal Mining Company 1979–89, and Ryan Mining Ltd 1990–92. ¹
• Joined underground to Elwyn Colliery around 1991; the combined "Elwyn Pinetrees" workings were worked by the Tower Anthracite Company until 1992 and then Ward Brothers, who closed the mine in 1993. ²
• Graig y Fforest No.2 (Pinetrees) and the neighbouring Elwyn Colliery both lay high on the Rheola forestry above Pentreclwydau, in the Dulais Valley district. ²

Photographs & further reading

Sources

1. (secondary) West Glamorgan Small Mines (Welsh Coal Mines) — Welsh Coal Mines
2. (secondary) Small collieries of the Dulais Valley — Northern Mine Research Society

Record created: 14 September 2026 · Last researched: 15 September 2026