The mine produced coal for the industrial markets, supplying coking coal, gas coal, manufacturing coal and steam coal. Shortly after opening, it was affected by the miners strike of 1926, but production resumed afterwards. By 1938 the colliery was owned by Firbeck Main Collieries Ltd of Chesterfield, who employed 1,457 underground workers and 357 surface workers. After nationalisation in 1946, it became part of the National Coal Board's No.1 Worksop area. At its peak in 1953, the mine employed 1,448 underground workers and 393 surface workers. Problems gradually occurred, as the mine was affected by water, ventilation difficulties and geological faults. Transport of the coal to the surface was slow, as the shafts were unsuitable for the installation of mechanical skip winding, and by 1968, the mine was deemed to be uneconomical. It closed on 31 December 1968, and many of the miners moved to other local pits at Maltby, Manton, Shireoaks and Steetley.