Looking back at mining in Cumbria throughout the years

With early beginnings, mining activity in Cumbria dates back to the Roman period. There is evidence that the Romans, who occupied Britain from 43 to 410 AD, mined copper at Coniston and lead and silver at Alston.

During the medieval period, the mining of iron ore became increasingly important in Cumbria. Furness and Cumberland were central to Britain's iron production. 

However, it was during the Industrial Revolution, and especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, when Cumbria witnessed the mining industry’s peak. Coal, iron, lead, zinc, copper, baryte, and fluorite were the primary minerals extracted for industrial needs.

Whitehaven, Workington, and Barrow-in-Furness ascended as major mining towns, with expansive networks of mines and supporting infrastructures. The world's first deep-sea mining dock was opened in Whitehaven in 1759.

One coal mine pictured is Haig Colliery, the mine was in operation for almost 70 years and produced high volatile general purpose coal which was used in the local iron making industry, gas making and domestic fires.

The shafts were sunk between 1914 and 1918 as new access to Wellington Pit with some production starting in 1919, and full production not starting until 1925.

Between 1922 and 1931, 79 men died as a result of three explosions (in 1922, 1928 and 1931).

By the time of the miners' national strike of 1984, Haig Colliery was the only deep mine remaining in operation in Cumbria. Shortly after miners elsewhere started walking out in protest at the NCB's planned pit closures in March 1984, the men at Haig heard that 80 per cent of them would be losing their jobs.  On closing in March 1986, 180 jobs were lost.