MineArchiveGwendraeth Colliery, Pontyates
| Also known as | Gwendraeth Slant |
|---|---|
| Location | Just outside Pontyates, Gwendraeth Valley, Carmarthenshire — 51.7449, -4.2139 (approximate) |
| Commodity | Anthracite |
| Type | Coal |
| Worked | Late 19th century–1928 |
| Maximum depth | Unknown. |
| Operators | Gwendraeth Anthracite Collieries Co. Ltd, Gwendraeth Valley Anthracite Collieries Ltd |
Overview
A Pontyates anthracite drift opened in the late 1800s that worked only the outburst-free Carway Fawr seam, screened its coal at neighbouring Plasbach, employed 459 in 1923 and closed in 1928.
History
Gwendraeth Colliery stood just outside Pontyates in the Gwendraeth Valley; it is not the Gwendraeth Colliery at Pontyberem. It was opened in the late 1800s by the Gwendraeth Anthracite Collieries Co. Ltd as a single drift, to which an air pit was later added.
Unusually, it only ever worked one seam, the Carway Fawr, but worked it over a larger area than any other mine in the valley, and because that seam was not prone to outbursts the mine was free of them. It was closely tied to Plasbach Colliery in the village, with which it was connected underground and by a surface tramway, so that Gwendraeth's coal could be screened at Plasbach.
It employed 375 in 1908 and 270 in 1918, under the Gwendraeth Valley Anthracite Collieries Ltd, and 459 in 1923, all on the Carway Fawr. The Gwendraeth slant, its air pits and the neighbouring levels were abandoned in 1928, when the colliery closed.
Geology
The Carway Fawr seam of the Gwendraeth Valley anthracite, not prone to outbursts.
Workings
A single drift with a later air pit, connected underground and by a surface tramway to Plasbach Colliery.
Closure
Closed in 1928, when the Gwendraeth slant, its air pits and the neighbouring levels were abandoned.
What remains
Unknown.
Redevelopment
Unknown.
Related mines
- Plasbach Colliery — Connected underground and by a surface tramway; Gwendraeth's coal was screened at Plasbach, and the two were abandoned together in 1927-28.
Nearby mines
- Caepontbren Colliery — 0.6 miles (0.9 km) N
- Pontyberem Colliery — 0.6 miles (0.9 km) N
- Carway Colliery — 0.9 miles (1.5 km) SW
- Cynheidre Colliery — 1.3 miles (2.2 km) E
- Ponthenry Colliery — 1.5 miles (2.4 km) N
Straight-line distance, within 9 miles (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.
- It was opened in the late 1800s by the Gwendraeth Anthracite Collieries Co. Ltd. 1,2
- It only ever worked the Carway Fawr seam. 1
- It was connected underground and by tramway to Plasbach Colliery, where its coal was screened. 1
- It employed 375 in 1908, 270 in 1918 and 459 in 1923. 1
- The Gwendraeth slant and its air pits were abandoned in 1928. 1,3
Photographs & further reading
The colliery, its single seam, its link with Plasbach, employment and closure.
View sourceSources
- (secondary) Welsh Coal Mines: Gwendraeth Colliery, Pontyates (with Caepontbren Colliery) — Welsh Coal Mines
- (secondary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Richard Gravell, Gwendraeth, Pontyates, 9 June 1910 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) BGS / Mining Remediation Authority mine plan: GWENDRAETH SLANT & NOS 1, 2 AIR PITS, CAEPONTBREN, PLASBACH, FFAY, DANYBANK & TY-GWYN LEVELS, abandoned 1928 — British Geological Survey
Record created: 10 October 2026 · Last researched: 10 October 2026