13-11-2016 Pithead and winding wheels of derelict Clipstone Colliery, Nottinghamshire, now a Grade two listed building © John Harris

13-11-2016 Pithead and winding wheels of derelict Clipstone Colliery, Nottinghamshire, now a Grade two listed building © John Harris

13-11-2016 Pithead and winding wheels of derelict Clipstone Colliery, Nottinghamshire, now a Grade two listed building © John Harris

19-09-2016 Leadville, Colorado, USA The Leadville Mining District. Mining for gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper began here in 1860. The Robert Emmet Mine was the site of a major battle between striking member... © Jim West

19-09-2016 Leadville, Colorado, USA The Leadville Mining District. Mining for gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper began here in 1860. The Robert Emmet Mine was the site of a major battle between striking member... © Jim West

03-12-2015 The last deep coal mine in the UK at Kellingley Colliery near Knottingley, Yorkshire which is scheduled to be closed in December 2015 bringing the deep coal mining industry to an end in the UK. © Mark Pinder

03-12-2015 The last deep coal mine in the UK at Kellingley Colliery near Knottingley, Yorkshire which is scheduled to be closed in December 2015 bringing the deep coal mining industry to an end in the UK. © Mark Pinder

15-08-2013 The National Mining Museum Scotland, on the site of Lady Victoria Colliery in Newtongrange, Midlothian. The pit ceased production in 1981. © Philip Wolmuth

07-08-2013 The National Coal Mining Museum for England, formerly Caphouse Colliery, in Overton, West Yorkshire. The pit, just outside Wakefield, closed in 1985. © Philip Wolmuth

07-08-2013 The National Coal Mining Museum for England, formerly Caphouse Colliery, in Overton, West Yorkshire. The pit, just outside Wakefield, closed in 1985. © Philip Wolmuth

07-08-2013 The National Coal Mining Museum for England, formerly Caphouse Colliery, in Overton, West Yorkshire. The pit, just outside Wakefield, closed in 1985. © Philip Wolmuth

16-06-2012 Miners march to Pozo Candin where miners have been occupying the pit. The miners have been on strike since the government announced cuts to mining subsidies due to austerity cuts which will mean an en... © Jess Hurd

16-06-2012 Miners march to Pozo Candin where miners have been occupying the pit. The miners have been on strike since the government announced cuts to mining subsidies due to austerity cuts which will mean an en... © Jess Hurd

16-06-2012 Miners march to Pozo Candin where miners have been occupying the pit. The miners have been on strike since the government announced cuts to mining subsidies due to austerity cuts which will mean an en... © Jess Hurd

16-06-2012 John Cunningham ex Yorkshire NUM miner speaking at a rally at Pozo Candin where miners have been occupying the pit. The miners have been on strike since the government announced cuts to mining subsidi... © Jess Hurd

16-06-2012 Pozo de Soton coal mine. The miners have been on strike since the government announced cuts to mining subsidies due to austerity which will mean an end to mining. Asturias. Northern Spain. © Jess Hurd

16-06-2012 Miners march to Pozo Candin where miners have been occupying the pit. The miners have been on strike since the government announced cuts to mining subsidies due to austerity cuts which will mean an en... © Jess Hurd

16-06-2012 Miners march to Pozo Candin where miners have been occupying the pit. The miners have been on strike since the government announced cuts to mining subsidies due to austerity cuts which will mean an en... © Jess Hurd

08-11-2011 The pithead and winding gear, Hatfield Main colliery, Stainforth, is one of two remaining pits in South Yorkshire. © Philip Wolmuth

25-12-2010 Zeche Zollverein, Winding tower of shaft 12, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Essen, Germany. © Timm Sonnenschein

25-12-2010 Zeche Zollverein, Winding tower of shaft 12, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Essen, Germany. © Timm Sonnenschein

26-03-2009 Footbridge after coal mine winding wheel and gear reminiscent of the industrial past. New Tredegar, South Wales. © John Harris

26-03-2009 Footbridge after coal mine winding wheel and gear reminiscent of the industrial past. New Tredegar, South Wales. © John Harris

13-05-1993 Supporters of 4 women occupying headgear Trentham Colliery against pit closure, Staffordshire 1993 © John Harris

13-05-1993 Supporters of 4 women occupying headgear Trentham Colliery against pit closure, Staffordshire 1993 © John Harris

02-06-1986 South Hetton colliery, County Durham closed down June 1986 after end of miners strike © Peter Arkell

31-10-1984 Striking miners riddling for coal on a slagheap or tip, collecting fuel for the winter, South Kirby, Yorkshire © John Harris

06-10-1984 Police hold back pickets at Blidworth colliery, Nottinghamshire during the miners strike © Peter Arkell

24-07-1984 Norman Strike at the front of a mass picket, Bilston Glen mine, Scotland, Miners Strike. © John Sturrock

05-07-1984 Family day Picket, Penrikyber Colliery, South Wales, The Miners Strike 1984 © John Harris

05-07-1984 Family day Picket, Penrikyber Colliery, South Wales, The Miners Strike 1984 © John Harris

11-05-1984 Mass picket of miners at Welbeck colliery, Nottinghamshire during the miners strike. © NLA

11-05-1984 Mass picket of miners at Welbeck colliery, Nottinghamshire during the miners strike. © NLA

01-05-1984 Pickets at Lynemouth colliery Northumberland during the miners strike © Ray Rising

05-03-1984 Flying pickets persuading other miners to come out on strike, first day of the Miners strike, Thurcroft mine, Yorkshire © John Harris

12-02-1983 NUM picket Lewis Merthyr Colliery, 1983 Rhondda Valley, South Wales strike against pit closure © John Harris

08-12-1976 Miners coming off shift at Snowdon Colliery, Kent, 1976. © John Sturrock

08-12-1976 Miners coming off shift at Snowdon Colliery, Kent, 1976. © John Sturrock

12-12-1974 Miner from Rockingham colliery, near Barnsley leaving work © Martin Mayer

25-01-1974 Miners at Oakdale pit, South Wales, just before the 1974 miners strike. © Martin Mayer

25-01-1974 Miners leaving work at Oakdale pit, South Wales just before 1974 strike. © Martin Mayer

25-01-1974 Miners leaving work at Oakdale pit, South Wales just before 1974 strike. © Martin Mayer

25-01-1974 Miners from Oakdale pit, South Wales, just before 1974 strike © Martin Mayer

25-01-1974 Miner from Oakdale pit, South Wales, just before 1974 strike. © Martin Mayer

25-01-1974 Miners leaving work at Oakdale pit, South Wales, just before the 1974 miners strike. © Martin Mayer

25-01-1974 Miners leaving work at Oakdale pit, South Wales, during work to rule, just before 1974 strike. © Martin Mayer

10-08-1973 Workers at Markham Main Colliery in Derbyshire look towards the pitshaft, site of a lift shaft accident at the pit on 30th July, 1973 which resulted in the deaths of 18 of their workmates. © Peter Harrap

15-01-1972 Miners cottages at Nantymoel, South Wales overshadowed by the pit head, during 1972 miners strike © Martin Mayer

15-01-1972 Nantymoel pit village, Ogmore Vale, South Wales, overshadowed by the pit head and slag heap, during 1972 miners strike © Martin Mayer

06-01-1972 Miners from Taff Merthyr colliery, South Wales, leaving work © Martin Mayer

06-01-1972 Miners from Taff Merthyr colliery, South Wales, leaving work © Martin Mayer

05-01-1972 Miners at Oakdale colliery, South Wales leaving work. © Martin Mayer

05-01-1972 Miners at Oakdale colliery, South Wales leaving work. © Martin Mayer

05-01-1972 Miner outside Oakdale colliery, South Wales. © Martin Mayer

05-01-1972 Miners leaving work at Oakdale colliery, South Wales © Martin Mayer

05-01-1972 Miner at Oakdale colliery, South Wales leaving work © Martin Mayer

01-06-1948 Pit village with Centenary celebrations sign, County Durham 1948 © Elisabeth Chat

01-06-1948 Miners at Shotton Colliery, County Durham 1948 © Elisabeth Chat

01-06-1948 Miners at Shotton Colliery, County Durham 1948 © Elisabeth Chat

01-06-1948 Local grocer delivering goods by horse and cart to the mining families, Horden County Durham 1948 © Elisabeth Chat

01-06-1948 Miners known as Bevin Boys on their way to work at Easington Colliery 1948 © Elisabeth Chat