Excerpt from Coalfields and Collieries of Australia

Coal mining is generally looked upon as distinct to metal mining, for although there may be many features in common, yet they vary greatly in degree, and there are certain points that require special knowledge, which favours treating coal and metal mining as two different classes. Metals mostly occur in deposits that incline to be vertical, while coal has a tendency to be horizontal. Coal is comparatively low in value, while metals are comparatively high, consequently the former must be worked 011 a large scale, and cheaply. This may cause one to pass by certain narrow seams as unprofitable, and to waste large quantities of coal in thicker seams rather than go to the expense of outside supports. To get away large quantities of material, sufficient transport appliances, both underground and 011 the surface, must be supplied. Large areas of ground must be secured to make it worth while to go to the expense of an adequate outlay 011 development and plant. Ventilation demands special consideration, especially in gaseous mines. The coal trade is influenced by a different set of conditions to the metal market, and this has had its effect on customs of coal mining. The coal miner objects to the dog watch, as he terms the night shift, but the metal miner, though he likes it no better, takes his turn at the night shift as' a matter of course. The collier wins his coal at a tonnage rate, while the metal miner, as a rule, works his ore on wages. In many cases the metal miner has more regular employment than the coal miner, who is often dependent on shipping orders.

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