A significant chapter of Collinsville’s mining heritage has been unearthed, rekindling memories and highlighting the town’s rich history. A Joy Continuous Miner, constructed in 1989, was recently discovered at Glencore’s Collinsville Coal operation. Once at the forefront of mining technology, this machine had been buried underground since a cave-in at the Bocum Mine that same year, where it remained hidden for decades.
Collinsville’s mining history dates back to 1919 when underground operations first began. The Bocum Mine, where the Joy Continuous Miner was last used, operated under the Collinsville Coal Company until its closure in 1997.
The town’s mining journey has been marked by both progress and challenges, including the tragic 1954 disaster at then State-owned No. 1 Mine, where seven miners lost their lives due to a gas outburst. These events have shaped Collinsville’s identity as a resilient mining community.
For lifelong resident and dragline operator Wayne Hinds, the discovery of the Joy Continuous Miner is more than just a historical find. Born and raised in Collinsville, Wayne began his mining career in 1978.
“I was an operator and used the continuous miners at Bocum and at No. 2 Mine. I have been working in Collinsville since 1978. I am born and bred Collinsville.”
His connection to this particular Joy Continuous Miner is especially meaningful
“It wasn’t very old. It was down in a faulted area where the faults run through the coal. Back in those days, mining wasn’t a continuous operation, and the mine was shut down for Christmas and Boxing Day. There was a cave-in, and the continuous miner was the casualty, unable to be retrieved.”
The buried miner became somewhat of a legend.
“We knew it was there somewhere. The last few strips of mining, probably for the last six years of open-cut operation, we would do another strip and think, ‘it has to be here somewhere,’ but it eluded us.
“And then the boys found it!”
The rediscovery marked a significant moment for those who had worked at Bocum Mine, bringing a piece of their shared history back to the surface.
The Joy Continuous Miner, manufactured in Moss Vale, represented state-of-the-art mining technology in its era. Designed to extract coal directly from the seam and transfer it to the haulage system, these machines revolutionised underground mining by enhancing efficiency and safety. Compared to other mining equipment of its time, continuous miners like the Joy model reduced the need for drilling and blasting, making the process safer and faster.
The machine is set to become a key exhibit at the Scottville No. 1 Mine historical display, preserving a chapter of Collinsville’s mining history. As part of the historical display, the Joy Continuous Miner will serve as an educational piece, showcasing the evolution of mining technology and the community’s contribution to the industry.
Wayne’s words echo the sentiment felt by many who see the rediscovery as a tribute to Collinsville’s mining legacy and the people who were a part of it.
“I spent so many years wondering when we would find it, and now it’s there, a piece of history for everyone to see.”
The Joy Continuous Miner’s story is not just about rediscovering a machine; it’s about reconnecting with a shared past, celebrating the progress of mining technology, and preserving the legacy of a community that continues to shape the future.
