A Welsh Coal Mines web page

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Bryndu Drift, near Kenfig Hill.

In 1834, a Mr. O'Neil formed a company to mine coal at Bryndu on land belonging to Mr. Talbot to supply two blast furnaces at the same location.

Later in came under the ownership of Ford and Sons, who further developed the colliery and coke works.

A gas explosion occurred here on the 23rd of December 1853 killing five of miners.

Another disaster happened on the 28th of May 1858 this time killing 11 men.
The blast occurred around 5pm in the West 9 feet heading. The coal in this district of the mine was so hard it could only be mined by blasting. It is believed that the fireman Jenkin Lewis unlocked his safety lamp in order to light the touch-paper fuse, which ignited a build up of gas.
They were;

Griffiths, Thomas   married
Hopkins, John       married with four children
John, David     married
Lewis, Jenkin       married with two children
Lewis, Morgan       single
Morgan, Evan        married with five children
Morgan, Joseph  single
Morgan, William married with five children
Rees, John      single
Thomas, Edmund  single
Thomas, John        married with five children

In1869 the colliery and furnaces were in the hands of Bryndu Coal and Coke Co.

From the Inspector of Mines list 1896 there were 378 men employed at the Bryndu and Cefn, producing House, Coking and Manufacturing coal.

By 1908 the Byndu had closed and at this time there were 461 employed at the Cefn.
Cefn was abandoned in January 1912.

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Winding House remains, Bryndu Colliery, near Kenfig Hill