Coal mining began in Minto, New Brusnwick in 1639. The last underground mine closed in 1969. I first visited Minto in 1968 to tour the existing underground mines. Unfortunately I did not take many photographs until in 1980 when I began taking portraits of retired underground coal miners and recording their stories about a life in mining. Surface coal mining continued in the Minto area until recently. Enjoy the photographs. Lawrence Chrismas, Calgary