In the late 1980s, the level was reopened by a major mining company. Despite significant investment in preparatory work, ongoing water issues meant that very little coal was extracted. The project was ultimately abandoned around 1989, having incurred losses of over a million pounds.
1930 Wilda Collieries Ltd
Free-draining level was originally driven in 1856 to work several coal seams, including the 3-foot Yorkley Seam, the 2-foot-9-inch Whittington Seam, the 4-foot-6-inch Coleford High Delf Seam, and the 3-foot-11-inch Trenchard Seam. The tunnel extended to a point 200 feet below the cross-cut adit of the Oakwood Mill Deep Level.
Operations ceased in 1899, but the level was reopened in 1912 in an attempt to drain mines on the western side of the Forest. However, it was abandoned again in 1921 without ever reaching the nearby China Engine Mine.
Publications (8)
Anstis 1997 p 53
Anstis 1999 p 73
Beech p 14
Horwood p 5
Oldham, Tony (1998); Mines of the Forest of Dean; 86 pages