MineArchiveLyn Colliery
| Location | Hillside near Resolven, Vale of Neath, Neath Port Talbot — 51.7217, -3.6568 (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Commodity | Coal |
| Type | Coal |
| Worked | 1951–1 March 1997 |
| Maximum depth | Unknown. |
| Operators | Lyn Colliery Co. Ltd (1951–1990), Ryan Mining Ltd (1990–1995), NSM Mining (South Wales) Ltd (1995–1997) |
Overview
A small licensed drift mine near Resolven in the Vale of Neath, started in 1951 in the No. 2 Rhondda seam, which employed about seventeen men through the 1970s and was last worked by Ryan Mining until 1995.
History
Lyn Colliery was a small licensed mine on the steep hillside near Resolven, in the Vale of Neath. Messrs Williams and Phillips started it in 1951 in the No. 2 Rhondda seam, trading as the Lyn Colliery Co., and in 1954 the Lyn Colliery Co. Ltd was registered, with I. J. Thomas and J. H. Thomas as directors. It was worked from three levels. At first only three men were employed, but by 1971 there were seventeen, and the number stayed about the same until at least 1979.
A 1969 survey of small mines for opencast potential found Lyn on very steep slopes, with sandstone overburden, isolated and hard to reach, and concluded that opencasting was not feasible. In 1990 Ryan Mining Ltd took the mine over and worked it until 21 July 1995, when it was abandoned. N.S.M. Mining (South Wales) Ltd, which had bought out Ryan Mining, then took it over but apparently never worked it, and it was finally abandoned on 1 March 1997.
Geology
The No. 2 Rhondda seam; sandstone overburden on very steep slopes.
Workings
Three levels: No. 1 (SN855037), No. 2 (SN856038) and No. 3 (SN858039).
Closure
Worked until 21 July 1995, when the No. 2 Rhondda workings were abandoned; finally abandoned on 1 March 1997 without being worked again.
What remains
Unknown.
Redevelopment
Unknown.
Related mines
- Elwyn Colliery — When Ryan Mining closed Elwyn in 1993 its workforce transferred to Lyn.
- Rheola Colliery — Neighbouring licensed levels in the No. 2 Rhondda above Resolven; Ryan Mining held both in the 1990s.
Nearby mines
- Rheola Colliery — 0.5 miles (0.9 km) W
- Pentreclwydau Colliery — 0.9 miles (1.5 km) NW
- Glyncastle Colliery — 1.3 miles (2.1 km) SW
- Pwllfaron Colliery — 1.3 miles (2.1 km) N
- Cwmgwrach Colliery — 1.4 miles (2.2 km) E
Straight-line distance, within 9 miles (15 km). Show on the map.
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 Lyn Colliery Co. Ltd is recorded as owner in 1991. (disputed) 3
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Started in 1951 by Messrs Williams and Phillips in the No. 2 Rhondda seam. 1
- Three men worked it at first; there were seventeen by 1971. 1
- A 1969 survey found it too steep, isolated and heavily overburdened for opencasting. 1
- The No. 2 Rhondda workings were abandoned on 21 July 1995. 1,2
- It was finally abandoned on 1 March 1997. 1
- The Lyn Colliery Co. Ltd is recorded as owner in 1991. (disputed) 3
Photographs & further reading
Lyn Colliery's owners, levels and manpower from 1951 to 1997, beside Rheola.
View sourceSources
- (secondary) Glyn Castle (Glyncastle, Ffaldydre and Rheola collieries) — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) BGS / Mining Remediation Authority mine plan: LYN, No. 2 Rhondda seam, abandoned 21 July 1995 — British Geological Survey
- (secondary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Gareth Richards (injured), Lyn [Licensed], Resolven, 16 September 1991 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 10 October 2026 · Last researched: 10 October 2026