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During the latter half of the nineteenth century, coal mining became an increasingly important source of employment in Wales, particularly in south Wales where the majority of collieries were located. By the end of the nineteenth century the Rhondda was one of the most important coal mining and producing areas in the world. At its peak, the coal mining industry in Wales employed one in every ten persons and many more relied on the industry for their livelihood. Rhondda was densely populated by collieries, at one time containing 53 in an area only 16 miles long. It was the most intensely mined area in the world. From a rural population of around 951 in 1851, the population had grown to around 169,000 by 1924 due to mass migration (approximately 20,000 people to the built-up square mile). Although coal was mined for domestic purposes in the Rhondda as early as the seventeenth century, 1855 is the date accepted as marking the transformation of the rural scenes of the Rhondda and the historic change to heavy industry. The towns and villages which grew around the collieries were often cramped and poor sanitation and living conditions led to much illhealth. Working conditions were also harsh during the early years of the industry: between 1868 and 1919, a miner was killed every six hours and one injured every two minutes. As a result of these conditions south Wales was at the forefront of political conflict as the miners sought to ensure better working and living conditions. The coal industry went into decline in the 1950s. Most of the pits which have been closed still have coal left to mine, but cheaper imports have signified the demise of the industry.

 

www.rhondda-heritage-park.co.uk/welsh-heritage/