02/09/2025
Richmond Main Colliery was one of the largest and most important mines in NSW history. Here’s a deeper look at its story 👇
🔎 1880s – Early discovery – Government geologist Tannatt William Edgeworth David identified rich coal seams in the South Maitland area. These became known as the Greta Coal Measures. His reports came just as a mining boom was beginning, attracting entrepreneurs eager to exploit this valuable find.
💰 1886–1897 – Ownership changes – The Richmond Vale Coal Company was formed in 1886, sinking a trial shaft by 1890. Several attempts to raise enough capital failed, and the site stalled. In 1897, J & A Brown — one of the most influential coal-mining families in NSW — purchased the colliery for £39,500 at auction. This marked the turning point for the site’s future.
🚂 1900–1905 – Railway connection – In 1900, J & A Brown secured parliamentary approval to build the Richmond Vale Railway. By 1905, the line connected Richmond Main and Pelaw Main Collieries with the broader rail system, creating a vital transport link for decades to come.
⚒️ 1910–1914 – Major development – In 1910, work began on the enormous No.2 shaft, 22 feet wide and fully bricked — unmatched in scale in Australia at the time. Alongside it, John Brown invested heavily in new boilers, a powerhouse, and a permanent steel headframe. By 1914, the shaft was complete, cementing Richmond Main as a flagship mine.
🧱 1912 – “Richmond Main red” bricks – A dedicated brickworks was built near the railway to supply materials for colliery construction. Its distinctive red bricks were not only used at Richmond Main but across many J & A Brown operations, leaving a lasting architectural legacy.
⚡ 1912 – The Power Station – Construction of a large brick powerhouse began in 1912, fitted with boilers, generators, and a tall chimney. It supplied electricity not only for Richmond Main but also for Pelaw Main and other nearby collieries, making it one of the most advanced mining power stations of its era.
🏭 1915–1917 – Growth and technology – By the mid-1910s, Richmond Main was one of the most advanced collieries in the nation. Seven Ingersoll Rand compressed-air coal cutters were installed, alongside modern screening plants, elevated gantries, and extensive rail sidings. These innovations placed Richmond Main at the forefront of early 20th-century mining.
✊ 1916–1918 – Industrial struggles – Like many mines of the era, Richmond Main faced frequent strikes. In 1916, only 1,500 tonnes of coal were produced. But by 1918, with workers back at the pit, production soared to an impressive 170,000 tonnes.
📖 Legacy – Richmond Main Colliery was more than a workplace — it was a symbol of innovation, resilience, and community. Its story highlights the massive scale of early mining, the struggles of workers, and the vision of those who built it. Today, it stands as a proud reminder of our mining heritage and the role coal played in shaping the Hunter region.
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📸 Photos taken of the surface buildings of Richmond main colliery, Drawing of the original power plant and the miners.
Credit: George Davidson collection: Living Histories, Newcastle University.
