14

Once the coal made it to the surface, it was sorted and stored in a tipple. A tipple is an elevated preparation plant that is located at the mine entrance and connects the mine to the outside world.

15

New Tipple Under Construction Brilliant Coal Co.
1926 - 1927
Drumheller, Alberta


Credits:
The Town of Drumheller

16

Rosedeer mine, bone pickers at work, in the processing plant
Between 1912 - 1934
Wayne, Alberta


Credits:
The Town of Drumheller

17

The usual means of sorting the coal into its various sizes was through the use of screens. These vibrating screens called shaker screens were powered by electricity and allowed smaller pieces of coal to fall through into a storage bin while others moved on to progressively larger screens and was sorted into an appropriate bin.

18

Looking for 'bone' or rock as the coal passes by on conveyor. Typical of mines in the area
20th Century
Unknown


Credits:
Wayne Community Association

19

Cleaning was necessary to remove impurities, such as rock, and was usually done by hand. The coal was dumped onto a large picking table and the impurities were removed. This method of manual picking or "bone picking" was used in smaller operation mines until the 50's.

20

Rosedeer Coal Mine, processing plant, coal on conveyor
Between 1912 - 1934
Wayne, Alberta


Credits:
The Town of Drumheller