New Waunhir Colliery

Overview

A small anthracite mine south of Glanamman, started in the 1960s and reopened in the 1970s, which in the early 1990s washed coal for two sister mines before closing in 1994.

History

New Waunhir Colliery lay south of Glanamman, south-east of Ammanford, and worked the Rhondda No. 1 or Dukey seam. George Maddocks of Ynysmeudwy started it in the 1960s, but it did not run for long and was abandoned until the 1970s, when John 'Bird' Lewis reopened it after leaving Brynlloi mine; with others he had earlier opened the Helig Drift at Cwmllynfell.

In the 1990s it belonged to Europe Energy Ltd, which also owned the Blaengrennig and Royal Oak mines. The mine had two adits; coal first came out by dram and later by conveyor, with a track alongside for timber and materials, and the site had its own washery, baths, first-aid room and office. Coal from Blaengrennig and Royal Oak was brought there to be washed and sold, and in 1990 there was a plan to link Waunhir and Royal Oak underground. In 1992-93 it was producing 500 tons a week, with plans to double that.

The colliery was dogged by complaints over noise, dust and its coal lorries, first over Mynydd y Gwair and then through Ammanford. Europe Energy closed its collieries in December 1994 and sold the plant early in 1995, though some mining was still going on at the site that September.

Geology

The Rhondda No. 1 (Dukey) seam.

Workings

Two adits, with dram and later conveyor haulage, a washery and surface buildings.

Closure

Europe Energy Ltd closed it in December 1994 and sold the plant early in 1995; some mining was still taking place in September 1995.

What remains

Unknown.

Redevelopment

Unknown.

Recorded claims

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

• New Waunhir worked the Rhondda No. 1 (Dukey) seam. ^1,2
• It was started in the 1960s by George Maddocks and soon abandoned. ¹
• The Waunhir workings were abandoned on 14 November 1966. ²
• In 1992-93 it was producing 500 tons a week. ¹
• Europe Energy Ltd closed it in December 1994. ¹

Photographs & further reading

Sources

1. (secondary) Welsh Coal Mines: Other small mines — Welsh Coal Mines
2. (primary) BGS / Mining Remediation Authority mine plan: WAUNHIR, probably No. 1 Rhondda seam, abandoned 14 November 1966 — British Geological Survey

Record created: 10 October 2026 · Last researched: 10 October 2026