The history of coal mining in the Greater Illawarra is rich and diverse,beginning with the Coalcliff site where coal was first found in Australia byshipwrecked sailors making their way on foot along the coastline to Sydney Covein May 1797._x000D_
This book endeavours to record the history of coal mining from Mount Keiranorth to Balmain and includes the Burragorang Valley, the Southern Highlands andmines to the west of the Illawarra escarpment.In a non-technical format, the book provides an insight into coke making inthe local area and the seaborne transport of Illawarra coal and coke fromjetties and harbours constructed for that purpose. The origin of the Joint CoalBoard - Coal Services is described and the events leading to the existence ofthe Southern Mines Rescue Station are highlighted.A chapter of the book details the "outburst" events and the method forcontrolling this potential mining hazard. Utilisation of methane gas in the coalseams for electricity generation was developed and continues to supply the stateelectricity grid today.Pioneers of coal mining and coke making in the local area are described inanother chapter.The collieries of the Illawarra continue to supply major local industry and the overseas coal market.A photograph of the Sea Cliff Bridge was selected for the cover of this bookas the Sea Cliff Bridge was built at the location where a sea jetty wasconstructed in 1877 for the Jetty Mine at Coalcliff. The two photographs portraythe transition from our past to the present.This volume is a publication of The AusIMM Illawarra Branch Mineral HeritageSubcommittee._x000D_
Part 1 is available for purchase here.