SURFACE COAL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13801, 19 November 1942, Page 6

SURFACE COAL

A TIMELY FIND

Deposits In Britain

Many Sites Discovered

Major Braithwaite, M.P., suggested in the House of Commons some weeks ago that there were 50.000,000 tons of coal within 30 feet of the surface, and that the civil engineers of Britain could obtain this fuel as an ancillary supply to help the country out, as it was impracticable to bring further miners back to the mines. “Thanks to the encouragement given by my Hon, friend the late Secretary for Mines, we were able to start this plan,” he told the House of Commons.

“So far 8 5 sites have been found, 22 of which are working; the prospecting of 43 is nearing completion, and 20 more sites are under consideration. These sites are located in the main Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire, some in Scotland and a few in Northumberland and Lancashire. I am informed by the director in charge of these sites that it will be 10,000 Tons per day by the 25th of this month, and that by the 25 th of next month it will have risen to 32,000 tons a day, nearly 10,000,000 tons of coal per annum. It has been said that it i» of poor quality. 1 have taken samples from three sites.

“The coal received in industry from the site at Wentworth, in West Yorkshire has a calorific value of 12,860 B.T. units, and when it is allowed to dry the calorific value rises to 13,040. At Fulcliff, near Wakefield, the coal has a calorific value of 13,750, and of 15,000 when it is dried. The coal from the two Warwickshire seams now open, one of which is 12 feet 6 inches thick, has a calorific value of 12,750. I have taken these. samples at random, but I can assure the House that they are typical of what can be done in this direction.

“We have now 407 works contractors working under the scheme. They have provided the Government with £ 2,000,000 worth heavy plant. There is no question at all that the tonnage, which I told the House of Commons would be raised in 12 months will be forthcoming.

“I contend that this plan should prevent th.e rationing of domestic fuel. I have been to see some of the users of this fuel. I have seen it being used in boilers, for the generation of electricity and for making gas.

“A word about the price, which of course is important. The price delivered into wagons works out at 12s 8d per ton, which will bear comparison with any mining figures in Great Britain.

“I have put the proposal forward because I am firmly convinced that a great amount of coal can he supplied to industry in this way, and that it will be very valuable during war-time. I only hope the it will help our mining industry to recover and get on to a proper basis. It was

ntended as a help to carry us hrough our war-time difficulties."