The pick and shovel were long-time standards of underground labor, but gradually, punching tools and chain cutting machines replaced the pick, loading machines replaced the shovel, and electric shuttles replaced mule trains. Large coal mining equipment companies developed in southwestern Virginia and began striving to achieve the cutting edge in coal technology, developing such multi-use equipment as the battery-powered tractor and scoop mechanism shown here.
Ellen Elmes
PO Box SVCC
Richlands, VA 24641-1101
email: ellen.elmes@sw.edu
phone: 276.964.7205
fax: 276.964.7720