Thursday 20 January 2022

The Strongman Mining Disaster

In between Greymouth and Punakaiki is this monument on top of a hill next to the main highway. The Strongman Mine was an underground coal mine north of Greymouth of New Zealand's west coast of the South Island that operated from 1938 until 2003. 


On 19th January 1967 a gas explosion in the mine killed 19 miners. In 1994 the original mine was replaced by the Strongman 2 mine further up the Nine Mile Valley. This mine eventually closed in 2003.



The monument honours those who were killed in the disaster and acknowledges the 65 years of mining in the area.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday, All Seasons and Tom's Signs.

15 comments:

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Sad memorial how close is it to the mine

Bill said...

A nice memorial for those who lost their lives.

Tom said...

...mining has always been a dangerous way to earn a living.

William Kendall said...

There have been mining disasters here too. It is no way to make a living.

magiceye said...

So sad that technology not used to substitute manual labour in mines.

Iris Flavia said...

It must have been horrible.
Just some 40 km from here a mine broke down, too, maybe you know the Wonder of Lengede?
There is even a movie about it.
Horrible.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I just can't imagine mining. We lived in a coal mining town when I was a kid and the thought of even going into a mine scared me.

local alien said...

I vaguely remember the disaster. The memorial is on a lovely site. What a view

Sharon said...

A great monument in a place with a wonderful view! It looks like it gets many visitors.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

a sad occastion to remember

Jim said...

Appropriate monument.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

That's a beautiful location for the monument. Mining is a difficult and dangerous business.

Light and Voices said...

Remembering this with sadness.....

csuhpat1 said...

Wow, so very powerful. Thanks for sharing this with us. #allseasons

Lydia C. Lee said...

Lovely look out but terrible tradgey. Must have devastated the community. Thanks for sharing with @Allseasons

Westport News

  This has been one of the early buildings in Westport from the 1870s that is still being used for the local newspaper, so much old Victoria...