Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite coal regions of ...

INSPECTORS OF MINES. ]2&
Hazledell Colliery (Columbia Countv.)— /?o6er/! Gorrell, Operator, on lands
of the Locust 3Iountain Coal and Iron Company.
It consists of two slopes and a tunnel operation. Very little mining had
been done during- the year, the lower works being flooded out. The" tunnel
opens the B vein in 12 feet of coal. Fourteen breasts are open in its
west panel. A large amount of blasting is done in this tunnel, requiring a
powerful current of air to remove the smoke. This work is being ventilated
by natural currents, and although quite strong yet not sufficie'^it to make
ventilation a success. A very large number of hands were at work in this
tunnel, which accounts for the large body of powder smoke in circulation ;.
otherwise the condition of the mine is excellent, and the character of the
work done is safe ; 21,000 tons of coal had been mined ; 163 hands are employed
; 360 horse power engines, with 12 boilers, are in use, and one large
steam pump is used for drainage.
Cextralia Colliery.— Opera/ecZ by Dr. Provost, on lands of the Locust Mountain
Coal and Iron Company, at Centralia, Columbia county.
It consists of a slope and a tunnel opening. The slope workings are
filled with water during the year. The D vein is opened in the tunnel in
15 feet of coal. A dry slope is sinking on this tunnel lift for hoisting the
coal to the slope breaker. Eighteen hands are employed here ; SiO-hcrse
power steam engines, with 14 boilers, and 2 pole pumps are in use.
Luke Fidler Colliery (Nortijuiiberlaxd Couxtv.)— Mineral Railroad and'
Mining Company, Owners and Operators.
A slope through 20 yards of rock strata to meet a tunnel which opens the
Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 coal veins, which latter lift is used for drainage
inside slope is sunk on No. 10 vein, and in its course opens the
outlet. An _
twin veins, 8 and 9. Eight feet of coal are worked on No. 8 and seven feet
of coal are worked in No. 9 vein. Two self-acting planes open up a series
of counter-workings, with 46 breasts open. The colliery is well ventilated
by a 20-horse power fan, and the colliery is generally in a good condition ;
5 engines, of 175 horse power, with 8 boilers, are in use ;• 108,.300 tons of
coal had been mined ; 213 men and 50 boys are emploved.
LocusTDALE CoLLiERY, IX COLUMBIA Gov^TY .— Ou)ned and Operated by the P.
and R. Coal and Iron Company.
It consists of 2 slopes, one for coal purposes and the other used for drainage,
men and materials, opening the E vein in 25 feet of coal ; 6 breastsare
open on its east panel, with a retaining pillar of 50 yards left to support
the upper level v/orkings, 4 breasts are open on its west panel. Owing to
the generation of a large amount of fire-damp gas shots are only discharged
by permission and in the presence of a boss miner. The use of naked lights
is prohibited, and a full observance of the requirements of law is strictly
adhered to. Otherwise I found the colliery in excellent condition. Five
fatal accidents occurred during the year, 4 of v/hich had been caused by
an explosion of powder while the men were seated on the powder chest
taking dinner when the explosion took place. Ventilation is ettected by a
2o-horse power fan ; 6 engines=79i;-horse power, with 25 boilers are in use ;
150 men and 71 boys are employed ; one 500-horse power bull pump and a
steam pump are used fur drainage ;
40,910 tons of coal had been mined.