C—2a

Accidents. —One serious accident occurred in the Strongman Colliery. On 30th June, 1947, a trucker was caught between two full trucks in the No. 2 South Section, sustaining a fractured pelvis and a fracture of the right fibula. Stone-dusting.—Work under this heading was continued during the year. The total number of samples taken from the Strongman Colliery and analysed was 403. Underground Workings.—No. 2 North Section : During the year, development of the No. 2 Panel, approximately 2| acres, was completed, and the section is now ready to be sealed off. No. 3 Panel: Approximately three-quarters of the development has been completed and the top coal extracted. Five pairs of miners engaged in this section and the quality of the coal is excellent. In the Main Heading Section, development has been temporarily stopped, but was restarted towards the end of the year. Two pairs of miners are engaged. An unexpected upthrow fault was met, the displacement being approximately 30 ft. It is expected that this fault will cross all the main headings. The throw of the fault has increased the grade and made development work difficult. No. 3 North Section: As the top seam appears to be missing over portion of the No. 3 North Section, pillar-extraction will soon be commenced. A small amount of development work remains to complete this section. A barrier, approximately 3 chains, will be left between No. 3 North and No. 4 North Sections. Seven pairs of miners are engaged in this section. Places are dipping steeply and the haulage of coal presents some difficulties. Top coal has been extracted from all the places. Approximately twelve months' development work remains for the present number of colliers. Main East Heading : During the year the two headings on either side of the main headings have been driven across the fault and connections made by means of a crosscut in advance of the main heading. South Sections : Development towards the Bob Fault has continued with four pairs of colliers. The fault has altered slightly in direction, giving a larger area of coal than was anticipated. Pillar-extraction has been continued throughout the year with three pairs of miners in No. 1 South Dip. The roof conditions make pillar-extraction difficult. The percentage of extraction is good, considering the unfavourable conditions. Electric power has been brought to the top of the No. 1 South Dip, and underground arrangements have been completed for the installation of an electric winch when it comes to hand. Bottom Seam No. 2 Dip : Development work with four pairs of miners in good coal has been continued in the Rise Panel Section. To date, there have been no indications of the intrusion of the stony bands which have been expected. There are indications that the faults on either side are converging, and the section may be further reduced to three main headings. Slant Dip : Five pairs of miners continuing development work. Three of the levels have now reached the Bob Fault. A barrier of coal, 1 chain thick, has been left between this section and the rise panel. The companion dip to the main Slant Dip, and two levels, are ready to breakaway. Haulage : During the Christmas holidays a gravity endless-rope haulage was installed in the No. 2 North Section, and a main-and-tail haulage system was installed in the No. 3 Panel delivering the coal direct to the new rope-road. An electric centrifugal pump has been installed in the main sump, replacing the compressed-air unit. Blackball Colliery Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 57,540 tons 5 cwt., a decrease 0f,2,496 tons 10 cwt. when compared with the figures for the previous year. After allowing for waste (1,579 tons) and the quantity used on works (376 tons), there remained for disposal a net output of 55,585 tons 5 cwt.

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