Corn Beef Colliery

(Rev 0.0)

                Opened:

Location:

                Owner:  

Manager:

                Closed:

                Reopened:

1878 – August, a second mine known as the “B” Pit was established on the hillside to the north of the Old Bulli workings, closing after about seven years. (WCC Library)

1940 – “Excelsior Collieries Ltd intend to re-open the old Corn Beef Mine near Green’s Pinch on the Bulli Pass at the termination of the strike. It will employ some 24 miners.” (Ill Merc 15/03/1940, p13 ex Trove)

1940 – “It was reported to the Board of the Southern District Delegates that a small mine, the Corned (sic) Beef Mine was working using members of the Deputies Union. Excelsior Colliery management promised to cease work immediately, pickets will be emplaced to ensure the manager’s promise is carried out.” (Ill Merc 29/03/1940, p4 ex Trove)

1940 – “The manager of the old Corned (sic) Beef mine, Mr Bowdler, promised that preference for employment would be given to members of the Southern District Lodge. Six men are currently re-timbering and making a road into the mine.” (Ill Merc 07/06/1940, p3 ex Trove)

1943 – Recent heavy rains, >20 inches recorded, inflicts heavy damage to the Corn Beef mine forcing it to be idle for a day as was South Clifton and Mt Kembla. (Ill Merc 21/05/1943, p1 ex Trove)

1950 – The Corn Beef Colliery at Thirroul was idle on the 14^th due to a dispute over a shortage of flat wheelers. (Ill Merc 15/02/1950, p2 ex Trove)

Corn Beef Colliery, a small mine is located about 100 m south of the “B” pit tunnel and connected to the upper level of the “B” it incline by skipway. . (Eardley, Gifford. c.1968)

??? Opened in 1938 as Excelsior #3 (or B) mine was situated in bushland close to and to the south of Bulli Pass Road at the crest of Greens Pinch, remains of the mines Powder Magazine can be found at the side of the fire trail about 100m off the Bulli Pass. Motorists driving up Bulli Pass in the area just prior to the rise leading to the “elbow” can and do experience the deformation of the road pavement consistent with the width and directional axis of the mine’s underground roadway driveage. Absolute confirmation the deformation is as a result of strata failure associated with mining at Corn Beef No 3 is prevented due to the adit of that mine being mysteriously destroyed at the mine’s closure in 1972. (ex Barry Swan for Russell Vale Golf Course)