Farmer survives dramatic sinkhole collapse in southwest Saskatchewan

By Joan Janzen

A routine day in the field turned into a frightening ordeal for a southwest Saskatchewan farmer when his tractor suddenly dropped into a sinkhole caused by an abandoned underground coal mine.

According to a Government of Saskatchewan website, at least 60 shallow underground coal mines once operated in southwest Saskatchewan. While most were abandoned decades ago, hidden voids beneath the surface occasionally remained, creating the potential for dangerous cave-ins.

A southwest Saskatchewan farmer's tractor sits partially buried after breaking through the roof of an abandoned underground coal mine. Neighbours and family members helped dig around the machine and eventually pull it free. The farmer's identity and the exact location were not disclosed when the photographs were shared. Photos courtesy Historic Saskatchewan.

Dick Preston of Brock recalled seams of coal being discovered south of Brock while digging water wells. In many cases, the soft lignite coal was used by earlier generations for home heating.

The provincial government has documented several hundred abandoned underground mining operations across Saskatchewan's southern coalfields. Most were small, family-owned ventures. Prairie farmers often dug shafts into the sides of coulees and hillsides to access lignite coal for their own use or to supplement farm income during difficult times.

Although the mines have long since been abandoned, unstable ground and hidden sinkholes can still pose hazards. The farmer in these photographs learned that lesson the hard way when the ground beneath his tractor gave way.

The series of photographs shows neighbours and family members working to free the partially buried tractor after it broke through the surface and became trapped in the collapsed mine workings below.