ON THE SCREEN

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 18th Year

Issue

Issue No.

3

Date Released

Nov 1964

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1ON THE SCREEN
2. 2TUESDAYs AT 7-30
3. 3SAFETY AT WORK
4. 4J.P.

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: automated mining through the use of closed circuit televisions at Ormonde Colliery in Derbyshire.
NCB Commentary - At Ormonde Colliery in Derbyshire they’re mining coal without a man on the face - part of the revolutionary development of remote control in coal-getting.
Push-button mining underground is complemented by new techniques on the surface.
And at Ormonde they’ve installed closed-circuit television to track the coal’s progress once it has reached pit-top.
Eight television cameras sited at strategic points watch the coal as it flows through the preparation plant.
In the control room operator Barry Slack watches any one of nine screens.
From his control panel he regulates the continuous flow of mine coal. By pushing a button he can divert coal from channel to channel - without a moment being lost.
Another push on a button and a further circuit comes into action.
And if occasionally it’s dusty, Barry has to wipe his cameras’ eyes, just ass he has to blink his own - and who wouldn’t after a stint watching nine screens.
When work’s over, Barry takes a busman’s holiday at home, in front of just one screen.

Keywords

Science and technology; Mining; Television

Locations

Derbyshire; England

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
The National Archives COAL 32   /13 Scripts for Mining Review, 1960-1963

Credits:

Sponsor

National Coal Board

Production Co.

National Coal Board Film Unit