Always a location of curiosity whenever I'm in the area, I thought I'd give this a half arsed attempt, not expecting to even get anywhere near the site with the mention of guard dogs... However, I guess Secca and his dog don't like strong winds, as I didn't encounter a soul.
The History
Sinking and Early Development (1911–1922)
Work to establish a new colliery next to the Great Central Railway's Barnsley to Barnety Line was started by the Hatfield Main Colliery Co. in 1911. The first sod was cut on the 14th October, with the No.1 Shaft being sunk to a depth of 2,579 feet by August 1916. The No.2 Shaft was sunk to a depth of 2,616 feet, and took until 1921 to complete, due to issues with water ingress.
The first coal was raised in 1921 from the Barnsley Seam which had excellent thermal coal properties, utilising the shaft sinking headstocks whilst the permanent ones were constructed, with this being completed in 1922.
The colliery was the first in the UK to use the Francois Cementation Process, which allowed the difficulties of sinking a shaft through shifting sands and waterlogged sandstone to be overcome.
The Francois Cementation Process
The Francois Cementation Process was a specialist ground stabilisation and shaft sinking technique widely used in the UK from the early 20th century, especially in waterlogged or loose ground, which made conventional shaft sinking extremely difficult. It was developed by the Francois Cementation Company, which later became part of the Cementation Company Ltd.
Hatfield Colliery was sunk through the Sherwood Sandstone and Magnesian Limestone formations, with water bearing strata and loose ground near the surface. The Francois Cementation Process allowed safe sinking through such strata by artificially stabilising and sealing them before excavation.
Initial Borehole Drilling
A pilot borehole (typically 30–50 cm in diameter) was drilled from the surface down through the water bearing strata to the depth where more stable ground (e.g., clay or bedrock) was expected.
The aim was to identify problematic layers and create access for grouting.
Lining with Tubing
Steel casing or tubing was inserted into the borehole to prevent collapse and to direct the grout later.
Grouting (Cementation)
Specialised grout mixtures (often a blend of cement, water, clay, and sometimes chemicals like silicates) were injected under pressure through perforations in the casing. The grout would flow into the surrounding porous or loose ground, gradually filling voids, binding the materials together, and displacing water.
Grouting was done in stages. As each level of strata was sealed, the casing was drilled deeper, and grouting continued. Sometimes alternate boreholes were drilled around the shaft perimeter to ensure full treatment of the area.
Curing and Monitoring
After injection, the grout was left to set and cure, often for several days or weeks. Test bores or water inflow tests were conducted to assess effectiveness.
The process drastically reduced water inflow, improved wall stability, and allowed brickwork or concrete lining to be installed with minimal risk. It enabled deep shaft sinking without the need for freezing or caisson sinking, which were more expensive.
Interwar Years (1922–1939)
The colliery survived the early 20th century’s tumultuous years, including economic hardship in the 1920s and the General Strike of 1926. Significant development occurred during this time, including the expansion of pithead baths and housing in Stainforth.
Mechanisation started to slowly roll out, but the site still relied heavily on manual labour.
Nationalisation and the NCB Era (1947–1980s)
Nationalisation in 1947 brought Hatfield under the control of the National Coal Board. The NCB invested in modernisation, improving underground transport, installing conveyors, upgrading winding gear, and building a new coal preparation plant.
Coal was extracted using longwall mining methods, increasingly mechanised with shearers and powered supports. Hatfield was a strong producer, supplying power stations across the North of England and feeding into the Central Electricity Generating Board’s (CEGB) growing demand.
During this period, the colliery reached peak employment (well over 2,000 workers) and strong output, with high morale and solid union activity.
The Miners Strike and Decline (1980s–1993)
During the 1984–85 Miners Strike, Hatfield was one of the most staunchly picketed pits in Yorkshire.
After the strike, closures began to creep closer to South Yorkshire. Although Hatfield survived the initial waves, output declined due to reduced investment and political pressures. In 1993, British Coal officially closed Hatfield due to declining profitability, despite access to workable coal seams.
RJB Mining / UK Coal (1994–2001)
Hatfield was briefly reopened in 1994 under RJB Mining, Richard Budge’s first private venture post British Coal. Production was resumed in a limited capacity, focusing on spot contracts, but the economics didn’t stack up long term. The colliery closed again in 2001 after just a few years of intermittent output.
Coalpower (2001-2003)
The colliery was bought up by Richard Budge’s next venture, called Coalpower, after it's closure in 2001. This was short lived however, with Coalpower going into administration in December 2003 with Hatfield once again ceasing production a month later for what appeared to be the final time.
Budge knew, however, that Hatfield sat on 27 million tonnes of some of the best coal in the UK, so, instead of filling in the tunnels to prevent subsidence, he put steel caps in the shafts and bided his time.
The Powerfuel Era (2004–2010)
Budge didn't have to wait long, with Hatfield being acquired in 2004 by Powerfuel Plc, a joint venture between Budge and KRU, a Russian coal company (Kuzbassrazrezugol). Their ambition was to restart underground coal mining operations and to develop a 900MW Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power station on site, equipped with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).
Mining resumed around 2007, and Powerfuel completed refurbishment of the shaft winding gear, surface buildings, and methane capture systems. Up to 300 miners were employed, and production increased to over 1 million tonnes annually by 2009–2010. The coal was marketed as low sulphur and ideal for nearby power stations like Drax.
Carbon Capture Project
The IGCC power station was a bold part of the UK’s clean coal ambitions. It would have gasified coal underground and targeted the capture of over 85% of emissions CO₂ before combustion. The captured CO₂ was intended for sequestration in offshore deep saline formations or for use in enhanced oil recovery in the North Sea.
The project anticipated using approximately 2 million tonnes of locally mined coal annually from Hatfield Colliery, aiming to create over 200 permanent jobs and stimulate further employment through associated ventures.
The EU initially pledged up to €180 million in grants under the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR). Despite early progress, the CCS power station was never built. Delays in government policy and private investment stalled the project.
By late 2010, Powerfuel ran into serious financial difficulties. KRU pulled out after disputes over funding and direction. Powerfuel Plc entered administration in December 2010, and operations ceased temporarily.
Hargreaves & the Final Years (2011–2015)
In 2011, the site was purchased by Hargreaves Services, a mining and logistics firm.
It restarted operations as Hatfield Colliery Partnership, with support from the workforce in a partly cooperative structure. Output continued to supply Drax, but subsidies were cut, and UK coal fired power began rapidly winding down.
By mid 2015, the pit was closed once more, this time for good. Final production ceased in July 2015, with a formal closure plan initiated shortly after.
The 2013 Landslip
In February 2013, a spoil heap movement caused a major landslip, severely damaging the railway line between Hatfield and Scunthorpe. The spoil heap, composed of waste from decades of mining, began to shift due to poor drainage and a high water table. The line was closed for nearly 6 months, reopening in early July with a return to a full timetable by the 29th July.
The Explore
Swung by the front of the colliery in the car for a nose first, unsurprisingly there was a Secca van parked up on site, so I quickly left again and drove round to parking ready for a long walk.
The approach was surprisingly easy although once I neared the colliery there were tyre tracks and paw prints from a large dog in the mud, be that from secca or locals using the nearby bridleway, who knows. Made my way down to the Heras fence perimeter and started looking for any weak points, along with access to any buildings, all the while keeping alert for any signs of my presence being known.
Turns out the Upcast is wide open, so made my way through the Heras and inside. The shaft has a concrete cap over it with the work to install that unsurprisingly removing pretty much all remnants of the cages, except for a staircase that now leads to nowhere. Except for the section to the cage, the cart circuit also remains in situ in it's entirety.
Cart Circuit -
The area is pretty empty except for a lot of pigeons and their associated mess, but there is a little office, presumably for the Onsetter/Banksman as it has the remains of the indicators for cage position within the shaft, along with an intercom.
Intrinsically Safe -
Shaft Signals -
Procedures -
Telephone -
Manager's Rules -
There was plenty of paperwork left behind, including shift logs and some branded items.
The chamber leading to the Fan House remains in situ, albeit a tad flooded. More from this later.
At the far side of the room is the remains of a motor, albeit in very poor condition.
No Spitting -
The stairs up the inside of the Headframe have been chopped but are climbable, so I decided to come back to this as I wanted to cover as much as possible before taking risks.
Followed the cart circuit to the exit, passing through two airlock doors in the process. Unfortunately the doors are chained shut, so back the way I came. There were two passageways allowing access for miners via more airlocks. The exit door is open, but the entrance is not, so made my way down the exit passageway which is blocked very poorly with more Heras.
Immediately to the left is a Switch Room which is very stripped but still worth a quick look, although lighting isn't ideal and it's in clear view of Secca if they decide to come out of their portacabin.
Switchgear -
Headed back into the Headframe via the entrance passage and found some old posters and notices from when the colliery was still open.
Twat -
Safety First -
Went back inside the Headframe for the climb now, pretty grim with all the birdshit and scared pigeons flying all around me, but got up onto the very rusty stairs. Began ascending, considering how shit of an idea this was with each set of stairs getting progressively less sturdy.
Got around halfway up before deciding to turn around... The lack of an intact handrail and the massive hole in the middle of the floor on the next level put me off, so headed back down to try my luck elsewhere.
Darted across the road down an alleyway between two buildings hoping for an access point, but no joy, so headed back to the Heras perimeter to attack the Fan House from the rear.
Couple of access points higher up, just a case of finding a way up to them. Heading towards the Downcast revealed an open door which lead to an overgrown area with a couple of ladders.
Took the shorter one first which went to a small chamber with a large lever to change the airflow below. Couldn't grab a decent shot unfortunately as the sun was beaming in in just the wrong way, so headed back down to the big ladder.
Second ladder took me to one of the open hatches, but I chose not to venture inside. It appears to be a longer chamber housing another one of the levers, with the only access being the hatch.
It would have been an awkward crouch inside at best and the floor was plastered in birdshit, the smell was beyond grim. There were multiple pigeons flying around as well, being in a confined space with them was not at all appealing, so I made my way back down.
The Fan House has been partially demolished, along with anything of interest presumably.
I was now in view of the portacabin so I didn't hang around for a close look. No chance of approaching the Downcast Shaft either, although it looks well blocked off with Heras from a distance.
I found an open door around the side of the Fan House remains which took me into the fan drift visible from inside the Headframe, but unfortunately there's very little to see. The lower level is flooded at least knee deep, so there was nowhere to go.
Ventilation Doors -
Impeller Remains -
Headed back outside, and back towards the Upcast, popping into a couple of maintenance offices in the process. Phone shots here as I couldn't be bothered with the camera.
Spares -
Soda Lime -
Goodbye Hatfield -
No idea what these are -
With that it was time to leave, wandering past the tub exit from the Upcast in the process.
Here's some drone shots from 2022 as well for good measure.
Thanks for looking.
The History
Sinking and Early Development (1911–1922)
Work to establish a new colliery next to the Great Central Railway's Barnsley to Barnety Line was started by the Hatfield Main Colliery Co. in 1911. The first sod was cut on the 14th October, with the No.1 Shaft being sunk to a depth of 2,579 feet by August 1916. The No.2 Shaft was sunk to a depth of 2,616 feet, and took until 1921 to complete, due to issues with water ingress.
The first coal was raised in 1921 from the Barnsley Seam which had excellent thermal coal properties, utilising the shaft sinking headstocks whilst the permanent ones were constructed, with this being completed in 1922.
The colliery was the first in the UK to use the Francois Cementation Process, which allowed the difficulties of sinking a shaft through shifting sands and waterlogged sandstone to be overcome.
The Francois Cementation Process
The Francois Cementation Process was a specialist ground stabilisation and shaft sinking technique widely used in the UK from the early 20th century, especially in waterlogged or loose ground, which made conventional shaft sinking extremely difficult. It was developed by the Francois Cementation Company, which later became part of the Cementation Company Ltd.
Hatfield Colliery was sunk through the Sherwood Sandstone and Magnesian Limestone formations, with water bearing strata and loose ground near the surface. The Francois Cementation Process allowed safe sinking through such strata by artificially stabilising and sealing them before excavation.
Initial Borehole Drilling
A pilot borehole (typically 30–50 cm in diameter) was drilled from the surface down through the water bearing strata to the depth where more stable ground (e.g., clay or bedrock) was expected.
The aim was to identify problematic layers and create access for grouting.
Lining with Tubing
Steel casing or tubing was inserted into the borehole to prevent collapse and to direct the grout later.
Grouting (Cementation)
Specialised grout mixtures (often a blend of cement, water, clay, and sometimes chemicals like silicates) were injected under pressure through perforations in the casing. The grout would flow into the surrounding porous or loose ground, gradually filling voids, binding the materials together, and displacing water.
Grouting was done in stages. As each level of strata was sealed, the casing was drilled deeper, and grouting continued. Sometimes alternate boreholes were drilled around the shaft perimeter to ensure full treatment of the area.
Curing and Monitoring
After injection, the grout was left to set and cure, often for several days or weeks. Test bores or water inflow tests were conducted to assess effectiveness.
The process drastically reduced water inflow, improved wall stability, and allowed brickwork or concrete lining to be installed with minimal risk. It enabled deep shaft sinking without the need for freezing or caisson sinking, which were more expensive.
Interwar Years (1922–1939)
The colliery survived the early 20th century’s tumultuous years, including economic hardship in the 1920s and the General Strike of 1926. Significant development occurred during this time, including the expansion of pithead baths and housing in Stainforth.
Mechanisation started to slowly roll out, but the site still relied heavily on manual labour.
Nationalisation and the NCB Era (1947–1980s)
Nationalisation in 1947 brought Hatfield under the control of the National Coal Board. The NCB invested in modernisation, improving underground transport, installing conveyors, upgrading winding gear, and building a new coal preparation plant.
Coal was extracted using longwall mining methods, increasingly mechanised with shearers and powered supports. Hatfield was a strong producer, supplying power stations across the North of England and feeding into the Central Electricity Generating Board’s (CEGB) growing demand.
During this period, the colliery reached peak employment (well over 2,000 workers) and strong output, with high morale and solid union activity.
The Miners Strike and Decline (1980s–1993)
During the 1984–85 Miners Strike, Hatfield was one of the most staunchly picketed pits in Yorkshire.
After the strike, closures began to creep closer to South Yorkshire. Although Hatfield survived the initial waves, output declined due to reduced investment and political pressures. In 1993, British Coal officially closed Hatfield due to declining profitability, despite access to workable coal seams.
RJB Mining / UK Coal (1994–2001)
Hatfield was briefly reopened in 1994 under RJB Mining, Richard Budge’s first private venture post British Coal. Production was resumed in a limited capacity, focusing on spot contracts, but the economics didn’t stack up long term. The colliery closed again in 2001 after just a few years of intermittent output.
Coalpower (2001-2003)
The colliery was bought up by Richard Budge’s next venture, called Coalpower, after it's closure in 2001. This was short lived however, with Coalpower going into administration in December 2003 with Hatfield once again ceasing production a month later for what appeared to be the final time.
Budge knew, however, that Hatfield sat on 27 million tonnes of some of the best coal in the UK, so, instead of filling in the tunnels to prevent subsidence, he put steel caps in the shafts and bided his time.
The Powerfuel Era (2004–2010)
Budge didn't have to wait long, with Hatfield being acquired in 2004 by Powerfuel Plc, a joint venture between Budge and KRU, a Russian coal company (Kuzbassrazrezugol). Their ambition was to restart underground coal mining operations and to develop a 900MW Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power station on site, equipped with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).
Mining resumed around 2007, and Powerfuel completed refurbishment of the shaft winding gear, surface buildings, and methane capture systems. Up to 300 miners were employed, and production increased to over 1 million tonnes annually by 2009–2010. The coal was marketed as low sulphur and ideal for nearby power stations like Drax.
Carbon Capture Project
The IGCC power station was a bold part of the UK’s clean coal ambitions. It would have gasified coal underground and targeted the capture of over 85% of emissions CO₂ before combustion. The captured CO₂ was intended for sequestration in offshore deep saline formations or for use in enhanced oil recovery in the North Sea.
The project anticipated using approximately 2 million tonnes of locally mined coal annually from Hatfield Colliery, aiming to create over 200 permanent jobs and stimulate further employment through associated ventures.
The EU initially pledged up to €180 million in grants under the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR). Despite early progress, the CCS power station was never built. Delays in government policy and private investment stalled the project.
By late 2010, Powerfuel ran into serious financial difficulties. KRU pulled out after disputes over funding and direction. Powerfuel Plc entered administration in December 2010, and operations ceased temporarily.
Hargreaves & the Final Years (2011–2015)
In 2011, the site was purchased by Hargreaves Services, a mining and logistics firm.
It restarted operations as Hatfield Colliery Partnership, with support from the workforce in a partly cooperative structure. Output continued to supply Drax, but subsidies were cut, and UK coal fired power began rapidly winding down.
By mid 2015, the pit was closed once more, this time for good. Final production ceased in July 2015, with a formal closure plan initiated shortly after.
The 2013 Landslip
In February 2013, a spoil heap movement caused a major landslip, severely damaging the railway line between Hatfield and Scunthorpe. The spoil heap, composed of waste from decades of mining, began to shift due to poor drainage and a high water table. The line was closed for nearly 6 months, reopening in early July with a return to a full timetable by the 29th July.
The Explore
Swung by the front of the colliery in the car for a nose first, unsurprisingly there was a Secca van parked up on site, so I quickly left again and drove round to parking ready for a long walk.
The approach was surprisingly easy although once I neared the colliery there were tyre tracks and paw prints from a large dog in the mud, be that from secca or locals using the nearby bridleway, who knows. Made my way down to the Heras fence perimeter and started looking for any weak points, along with access to any buildings, all the while keeping alert for any signs of my presence being known.
Turns out the Upcast is wide open, so made my way through the Heras and inside. The shaft has a concrete cap over it with the work to install that unsurprisingly removing pretty much all remnants of the cages, except for a staircase that now leads to nowhere. Except for the section to the cage, the cart circuit also remains in situ in it's entirety.
Cart Circuit -
The area is pretty empty except for a lot of pigeons and their associated mess, but there is a little office, presumably for the Onsetter/Banksman as it has the remains of the indicators for cage position within the shaft, along with an intercom.
Intrinsically Safe -
Shaft Signals -
Procedures -
Telephone -
Manager's Rules -
There was plenty of paperwork left behind, including shift logs and some branded items.
The chamber leading to the Fan House remains in situ, albeit a tad flooded. More from this later.
At the far side of the room is the remains of a motor, albeit in very poor condition.
No Spitting -
The stairs up the inside of the Headframe have been chopped but are climbable, so I decided to come back to this as I wanted to cover as much as possible before taking risks.
Followed the cart circuit to the exit, passing through two airlock doors in the process. Unfortunately the doors are chained shut, so back the way I came. There were two passageways allowing access for miners via more airlocks. The exit door is open, but the entrance is not, so made my way down the exit passageway which is blocked very poorly with more Heras.
Immediately to the left is a Switch Room which is very stripped but still worth a quick look, although lighting isn't ideal and it's in clear view of Secca if they decide to come out of their portacabin.
Switchgear -
Headed back into the Headframe via the entrance passage and found some old posters and notices from when the colliery was still open.
Twat -
Safety First -
Went back inside the Headframe for the climb now, pretty grim with all the birdshit and scared pigeons flying all around me, but got up onto the very rusty stairs. Began ascending, considering how shit of an idea this was with each set of stairs getting progressively less sturdy.
Got around halfway up before deciding to turn around... The lack of an intact handrail and the massive hole in the middle of the floor on the next level put me off, so headed back down to try my luck elsewhere.
Darted across the road down an alleyway between two buildings hoping for an access point, but no joy, so headed back to the Heras perimeter to attack the Fan House from the rear.
Couple of access points higher up, just a case of finding a way up to them. Heading towards the Downcast revealed an open door which lead to an overgrown area with a couple of ladders.
Took the shorter one first which went to a small chamber with a large lever to change the airflow below. Couldn't grab a decent shot unfortunately as the sun was beaming in in just the wrong way, so headed back down to the big ladder.
Second ladder took me to one of the open hatches, but I chose not to venture inside. It appears to be a longer chamber housing another one of the levers, with the only access being the hatch.
It would have been an awkward crouch inside at best and the floor was plastered in birdshit, the smell was beyond grim. There were multiple pigeons flying around as well, being in a confined space with them was not at all appealing, so I made my way back down.
The Fan House has been partially demolished, along with anything of interest presumably.
I was now in view of the portacabin so I didn't hang around for a close look. No chance of approaching the Downcast Shaft either, although it looks well blocked off with Heras from a distance.
I found an open door around the side of the Fan House remains which took me into the fan drift visible from inside the Headframe, but unfortunately there's very little to see. The lower level is flooded at least knee deep, so there was nowhere to go.
Ventilation Doors -
Impeller Remains -
Headed back outside, and back towards the Upcast, popping into a couple of maintenance offices in the process. Phone shots here as I couldn't be bothered with the camera.
Spares -
Soda Lime -
Goodbye Hatfield -
No idea what these are -
With that it was time to leave, wandering past the tub exit from the Upcast in the process.
Here's some drone shots from 2022 as well for good measure.
Thanks for looking.
