Life In An Coal Mine

OVERVIEW

Visit a former coal mine on the outskirts of Longyearbyen to see what the working conditions were like for the coal miners. On the way there, you may see remnants of the mining industry such as the cableway towers in town and the old railway that transported the “black gold.” Although Mine 3 was shut down decades ago, a few pieces of machinery and equipment still remain, so the interior looks much like it did when the mine was operating. As you will see upon entering the mine, some of the areas are only 2 to 3 feet high. The coal there had to be extracted by hand. It was grueling, often dangerous work and not for the claustrophobic. If you are feeling adventurous and want to experience what it was like to work in tight spaces, you can crawl through a small tunnel much like the ones that the miners used.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Explore a non-operating coal mine to see what the working conditions were once like.
• See machinery that the miners used and the tight spaces that they worked in.
• Learn how coal mining fueled the growth of Longyearbyen, which was founded to support it.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Wear warm, layered clothing.
• Flat, sturdy walking shoes are recommended.