HIGHLIGHTS

                Opened:

                Location:

                Owner: 

                Manager:

                Closed:

                Reopened: August 1970

                Owner: Austen & Butta Pty Ltd

                Closed for last time: - 26/6/1987,

 
DETAILED TIMELINE

During the 2^nd World War and just after the Upton Bros, Gordon & Ernie operated a small mine, carting the coal in a Ford truck to Albion Park Rail and loading it into rail wagons.

1942 – Bernard Upton vers Frederick Zimmock in a dispute over payment for Zimmock building coal bunkers at the Yellow Rock Mine. Frederick Peterson is Mine Manager. (Ill Merc.17/04/1942, p5. ex Trove)

1970 – Austen & Butta re-opens Yellow Rock Colliery in August 1970, operating in the Wongawilli Seam, with a one unit, double shifted, operation with outputs of over 1000 tons/day.  Notice of re-opening received by DoM. (DoMAR 1970/71)

1972 – Austen & Butta Ltd advertise for a mine manager for Yellow Rock Colliery (SMH 26/7/1972)

1976 – 23^rd March, an inrush of water occurs due to uncommunicated additional driveage taking place after the quarterly survey was undertaken some two years previous, the CM holing into a flooded dead end. (DoMAR 1976)

1981 – Rationalisation of the colliery layout begins, reducing the number of conveyor belts from seven to three, with improved men and materials transportation and ventilation. Kiama Council opposes mining under Minnamurra Falls Catchment resulting in ministerial prohibition. (DoMAR 1981)

1983 – Listed as being in production as per June 1983 (JCB Report 1983)

1986 – Operated by Dombarton Colliery Pty Ltd (Austen & Butta Ltd 100%) with 46 employees. The Wongawilli seam (2.7m) is mined by bord & pillar, utilising 1 x Joy 12CM 11 and 2 x Noyes 15/60 Hydrocar S/cars. (NSW Coal Industry Profile 1986)

1987 – June. Ceases Operations (Australian Coal Year Book 1988)