History

 

The sinking of Plas Power Colliery by the Old Broughton Coal Company began in 1875 and the pit began producing in 1877. In 1881, the company became the Broughton and Plas Power Coal Company and three of its directors were Mr Henry Robertson and Messrs W H and C E Derby.

 

The company later owned Gatewen, Bersham and Smelt Collieries. Plas Power was always regarded as a modern pit, its owners being pioneers in the use of electricity underground. The central generating station at the pit also supplied electricity to Gatewen and Vron Collieries. The bulk of Plas Power's output came from the Cadwgan area of the colliery.

 

At its peak, the mine employed 1,099 men.

Plas Power was the scene of violence in 1885 when the local miners mobbed and drove away the Irishmen who worked there and, during the following year, there were riots when other colliers in the area objected to Plas Power men raising 21 cwts to the ton. The pit closed in 1938.