Bellevue Mine Blairmore, South and Greenhill Mines Coleman Mine Hillcrest Mine Leitch Collieries Lost Lemon Mine McGillivray Creek Coal and Coke Co. Spokane and Alberta Coal and Coke

Page 1 | 2

[<< Previous]

Both labour unions and mine management worked to improve safety, but there were serious accidents in the Crowsnest Pass coal mines. In 1902 at Coal Creek (Fernie) 128 men were killed in an explosion, and in all, this mine took over 160 lives. At the International Coal and Coke Company in Coleman, a 1907 accident claimed three lives. Bellevue experienced an explosion in 1910 that killed 30 men, and the Hillcrest Mine Disaster of 1914, Canada's worst, resulted in the deaths of 189 mine workers. Another explosion at the Hillcrest Mine in 1926 was as bad as the first, although only two men were in the mine (and they were killed). McGillivray Creek Coal Company at Coleman also had an explosion in 1926, and 10 men died. Michel had its share of accidents: seven men were killed in 1904; 12 men in 1916; 3 men in 1938; and 15 men in 1967 - the last of the Crowsnest Pass mine disasters. There were other fatal accidents in the mines, and over 500 lives were lost over a period of less than forty years.

When the coal industry was profitable, everyone was happy. The mine companies sponsored dances, picnics and sports. Ethnic societies assisted widows and children, and sponsored community events. Music was a big part of Pass lives, along with sports.

When prices dropped, men faced layoffs and tensions were exacerbated. There were several bitter strikes. Confrontations between unions and management closed mines for months. When times were tough, the men might only work a couple of shifts per week, and they had large families to feed. Hunting, fishing and farming supplemented incomes in the bad times.

The last operating underground coal mine, Coleman Collieries, ceased operations in 1979. However, coal is still being mined in the Elk Valley by Fording Coal Ltd. Tours of the open pit mine operations are available through the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce each year during July and August.