Two key geoscience-data bodies have worked together to make tens of thousands of historic coal mining plans available to the public.
British Geological Survey (BGS) collaborated with the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) to put the treasure trove of maps and diagrams online.
They digitised information spanning more than 300 years of former collieries across England, Scotland and Wales.
People can search for both coal and non-coal mine plans held by either organisation and view high-quality scans directly in their web browser.
Geraldine Wildman, digital and information director at the MRA, said the Mine Plans Catalogue “opens a door to the past”.
She added: “The archive includes around 120,000 coal mine plans, some dating back to the 17th century. Despite their age, these plans remain a critical source of intelligence on underground conditions, including the extent and connectivity of coal mine workings.
“For communities built on coal mining, these plans represent family history, shared memory and a deep-rooted connection to their local area. Making them available ensures that this heritage is preserved and celebrated.”
Alison Steven, data operations and governance lead at the BGS, said the launch of the online tool was part of a wider drive to make legacy geological data more accessible.
“Working alongside the MRA we have brought these plans together into a single Mine Plans Catalogue,” she added. “This means users can now discover records held by both organisations in one place, making it easier than ever to explore the ground beneath our feet.
“Not only will this help communities reconnect with the stories that shaped their local heritage, but wider access to these plans also supports society’s evolving interests in how the subsurface is used, from the rising demand for geothermal energy installations to the need for robust subsurface data that underpins responsible land use planning decisions.”
The coal mine plans are also available through the MRA’s online map viewer, alongside a wider range of data relating to the nature and extent of mining across Britain.
This includes specific information to support safe planning and development on the coalfield, data on the potential for mine water heat, and records of historical metal mining in England.