Coal was the 2nd consideration

In the seventeenth century copper mining started around the Swansea area, using local coal to
smelt it for production of copper utensils.

carving of miner's tools, to scale by Harry Williams of Llanhilleth

Gradually forges cropped up all over the Valleys, smelting the plentiful iron ore,
using wood or charcoal as fuel.

With the expansion of forges, coal was used for smelting, rather than wood.   Each forge was usually accompanied by a drift mine, or coal shaft.   Local farmers had been burning coal to heat their houses, as it appeared on their land as an outcrop or very close to the surface.

As the forges expanded, steam power was developed to run machinery.   The Welsh
flannel industry was soon demanding coal for steam powered mills.   More and more wealthy house owners in London and elsewhere were demanding coal for heating.

Coal was becoming an industry in its own right, not just a fuel for the production of iron.







Thanks to Harry Williams for the photographs of his wonderful wood carvings.