The first bucket of coal was taken out of Galt Mine No. 8 on December 22, 1934. The tipple, originally built by the Link Belt Company of Chicago, was moved from Galt Mine No. 6 after that mine closed in March 1935. A coal tipple is a structure designed to load coal into transportation vehicles after it has been mined. It typically involves dumping mined coal from mine cars into a chute that directs it into waiting rail cars below. Some tipples also incorporate sorting and screening equipment.
Galt Mine No. 8 was owned by Canadian Pacific Railway (1934–1935) and then by Lethbridge Collieries Limited until it closed on February 12, 1957. Over its lifetime, the mine produced more than 3.1 million metric tonnes of coal. The geology was unstable, with frequent reports of poor roof conditions and ground movement. It was also the most heavily timbered mine in Alberta, and flooding was a constant concern due to tunnels extending under the Oldman River.
The last shift emerged at 3:00 p.m. on February 12, 1957. Among the final crew were miners from the original 1935 team. After the closure, 500 empty coal cars stood lined up on the prairie.
Enjoy the art structure at this beautiful little pond! The day we left the cache we saw a pretty pelican on the pond.