In May 1897 the firm purchased from the syndicated company headed by John Scholey (the original owner of the land) the partially developed Richmond Vale Colliery located in the Wallis Creek valley near what would be latter known as Kurri Kurri for ₤39,500.
In 1910 work commenced on developing Richmond Vale Colliery with the sinking of the main shaft and the ordering of plant & equipment from England.