Drift mining facts for kids

Drift mining is a special way of digging for valuable things like coal or ore (rock with metal inside). Imagine digging a tunnel straight into the side of a hill, like a horizontal cave! That's exactly what drift mining is. Instead of digging straight down from the surface, miners would follow a layer of coal or ore, called a coal seam, directly into the hillside.

This method was quite common for getting coal in the 1700s, especially in places where coal seams were close to the surface of a hill. It seemed easier than digging deep shafts, but it had some big problems, especially with safety.

How Drift Mining Works

Drift mining starts by finding a coal seam or mineral deposit that is exposed on the side of a hill or mountain. Miners would then begin to dig a tunnel, called a "drift," directly into the seam. This tunnel would follow the natural path of the coal layer.

• Finding the seam: Miners looked for places where coal was visible on the surface.
• Digging the tunnel: They would use tools like picks and shovels, and later explosives, to dig the tunnel.
• Following the coal: The tunnel would follow the coal seam, often going deeper and deeper into the hill.
• Removing the coal: Once the coal was dug out, it would be loaded onto carts or wagons and pulled out of the tunnel.

This method was often used in hilly or mountainous regions where the coal layers were not too deep underground. It was a simpler way to start mining compared to digging deep vertical shafts.

Why Drift Mining Was Used

Drift mining was popular for a few reasons, especially a long time ago.

• Easier access: It was often simpler and cheaper to start a drift mine than to dig a deep vertical shaft. You didn't need as much fancy equipment.
• Natural drainage: Sometimes, the slope of the tunnel could help water drain out naturally, which was a small advantage.
• Ventilation: Air could sometimes flow more easily through horizontal tunnels, helping with ventilation, though this was still a big challenge.

Despite these advantages, drift mining was not always the best or safest option, especially as mining technology improved.

The Dangers of Drift Mining

Even though drift mining seemed simpler, it was actually quite dangerous, which is why it wasn't used as much over time.

• Water problems: One of the biggest dangers was water. Since the tunnels went into the side of a hill, water from rain or underground springs could easily flow into the mine. This could cause floods, make the mine unstable, and even trap miners.
• Roof collapses: Just like any underground tunnel, there was always a risk of the roof or walls collapsing. This was especially true if the ground was soft or if water weakened the supports.
• Poor air quality: Even with some natural airflow, ventilation was often very bad. Miners could breathe in dangerous gases like methane (which can explode) or carbon monoxide (which is poisonous). Dust from the coal could also cause serious lung problems.
• Limited escape routes: If there was a collapse or a gas leak, miners often had only one way in and out, making escape very difficult.

Because of these serious risks, mining companies looked for safer and more efficient ways to extract coal as technology advanced.

Images for kids

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  Coal miner standing in a drift portal at Fork Mountain, Tennessee, 1920.

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  Drift mine entry in West Virginia, 1908. Photo by Lewis Hine.

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  Profile of hillseam occurrence