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Broad Oak colliery, Loughor.
Thomas Edwards was responsible for the sinking of the first Broad Oak Colliery, probably in the late 1820's. In 1833 it was employing around 100 men, producing between 60 and 100 tons per day. Later in came into the hands of George Wilkinson.
Broadoak was situated a short distance up stream from the
present day road bridge over the Loughor river (Glamorgan side) and
winding was achieved with a double-beam steam-engine (see photo
above).
The two shafts were 200 yards in depth worked the Swansea 3, 4, 5 and 6 feet
seams.
From the Royal Commission Reports 1842,
it was then owned by William Cameron, Esq.
James Banfield, who formed the Broadoak Colliery Co., was the owner in 1869.
From the Inspector of Mines list 1896, there were 83 men employed, and at this time the owner was Samuel Thomas.
An explosion occurred here on January 5th 1897 killing 5
miners.
They were;
David Lewis
Morgan Saunders
Thomas white
John Talmin
Thomas Bowen
Broadoak was connected to a small drift, Cae Copin Colliery (also in Loughor), last operated around 1910, but only sealed around 1995.
In 1923 there were 234 men employed, producing from the Five and Six Feet seams.
Later B and B. G. Collieries Ltd. owned it and in 1935 they
employed over 300 men at this pit.
By 1945 the workforce numbered 191
It was closed one year after Nationalisation in March 1948.