Some important dates associated with the Selby Coalfied:
May 1972: An National Coal Board Regional geologist presents his paper on the coal reserves located in Selby to the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers.
June 1973: Additional borehole provings announced for Selby.
August 1973: seismic exploration of coal reserves announced.
January 1974: Northernmost proving at Barnsley Seam is confirmed at Naburn.
August 1974: submit planning application in order to undertake work on the Barnsley Seam of the coalfield.
November 1974: the previously submitted planning application is “called in” by the Secretary of State for the Environment.
April 1976: permission is granted for planning.
October 1976: the project is inaugurated by the Duchess of Kent at Wistow (see archive item)
June 1977: ground freezing begins for the first of the Wistow shafts.
August 1977: shaft sinking starts at Wistow.
March 1978: drill drivages start at Gascoigne Wood.
June 1978: shaft sinking starts at Riccall.
September 1978: shaft sinking starts at Stillingfleet.
April 1979: the Wistow shaft is reached at the Barnsley Seam.
July 1979: shaft sinking starts at North Selby.
February 1980: shaft sinking starts at Whitemoor.
May 1983: the Wistow mine begins production.
July 1983: production at Wistow is interrupted by weight and water.
June 1984: the Stillingfleet shafts and surface are completed.
March 1985: the Riccall shafts and surface are completed.
June 1985: single entry working started at the Wistow site.
November 1985: the surface at Gascoigne Wood is completed.
November 1986: At Wistow, 50,000 tons are exceeded in the span of a week; Whitemoor and Riccall connect underground.
March 1987: Stillingfleet connected to the South spine tunnel at Gascoigne Wood, with the goal being improved ventilation.
References from Selby: The Past in Pictures: A Pictorial History: Part 2 and from the Northern Mine Research Society’s .