Story: Coal and coal mining

Mechanical mining (2nd of 3)

Mechanical mining

At the turn of the 20th century miners began to use compressed-air machines. In this photograph from around 1903, miners called ‘shooters’ are drilling holes in which explosives will be placed.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, R. P. Suggate Collection
Reference: 1/1-007751-G

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Alan Sherwood and Jock Phillips, 'Coal and coal mining - The miners’ work', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/7447/mechanical-mining (accessed 30 November 2023)

Story by Alan Sherwood and Jock Phillips, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 14 Apr 2021