In this week’s blog post, we’ll take a brief look at the history of coal mining in British Columbia and its impact on the region’s industrial landscape. All the materials featured in this post can be found in our open collections. Please feel free to click the captions underneath the photos attached to this blog post to access the materials directly!
Coal mining in British Columbia has a rich history that dates back to the mid-1800s. It began on northern Vancouver Island, then expanded southward to the Nanaimo coalfields where underground mining continued until the 1960s.
Postcard with annotation “Coal Mining at Nanaimo, BC., “Digging””
Diverse in its composition, coal is classified primarily by its carbon content and volatile matter. From Anthracite, the highest coal rank, to lignitic coal, and Bituminous, the predominant type mined in the province, each variant has played a significant role in shaping BC’s industrial landscape.
This rich history of coal mining and exploration is reflected in our BC Historical Newspapers Collection. Offering a glimpse into the past with issues dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, these newspapers contain articles discussing coal-related topics, including the discovery of different coal types. For instance, an excerpt from the December issue of The Advance in 1901 highlights the confirmation of significant deposits of lignitic coal:
The Advance, December issue 1901
These historical records not only shed light on the development of coal mining in British Columbia, but also provide evidence of its economic importance. This significance is further validated by government endorsements. For example, the 1931 Government Bulletin emphasized the efficiency and reliability of coal in British Columbia, reinforcing its importance as a vital component of the province’s energy supply:
However, behind the economic benefits brought by coal mining lay significant challenges for the miners themselves. Despite the employment opportunities it provided, miners often grappled with issues such as low pay, substandard working conditions, and safety concerns. These challenges led to the formation of labor unions and the organization of strikes to advocate for betting working conditions.
One notable example is the Vancouver Island Coal Miners’ Strike from 1912-1914. As reported in the article below from the August issue of the Abbotsford Post in 1913, approximately 11,000 workers in Nanaimo and Ladysmith initiated a strike, which was led by the United Mine Workers of America (U.M.W.A.), attempting to seek recognition from mine owners on Vancouver Island:
Abbotsford Post, August issue 1913
In the following year of 1914, as reported in a passage from the July issue of the Kelowna Record, miners decided to continue their strike after a year-long standoff:
Kelowna Record, July issue 1914
In response, during the same year’s Baptist convention in Vancouver, a recommendation emerged calling for the Dominion government to appoint a royal commission to inquire into both the coal strike and mining conditions on Vancouver Island:
Kelowna Record, July issue 1914
Despite their resilience, miners were met with significant opposition from strikebreakers, special constables, and the militia, leading to numerous arrests. By 1914, as the challenges grew overwhelming, the miners felt they had no choice but to reluctantly return to work. Nevertheless, their two-year strike laid the groundwork for future generations, eventually leading to Vancouver Island miners achieving union recognition in 1938.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s brief introduction to coal mining in British Columbia. The Canadian’s mining history is rich and intriguing, involving not only the coal industry, but also the copper industry and even the iconic gold rush era. If you are interested, we have also covered the gold rush period in our blog and we encourage you to explore that topic as well.
Thank you for reading!
References:
BC Labour Heritage Centre. (n.d.). The great coal strike 1912-1914. https://www.labourheritagecentre.ca/greatcoalstrike/.
British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines. (2015). Coal in British Columbia: British Columbia geological survey information circular 2015-4. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/mineral-exploration-mining/documents/mineral-development-office/coal_september_2015.pdf
