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==Coal Mining==
The district, along with the district of [[Bolsover]] and much of the surrounding area of [[South Yorkshire]], was a major producer of [[coal]] when a large seam was discovered during the building of the [[Clay Cross]] railway tunnel. Coal mining became the main industry of the region. During the [[1980's]] the [[conservatism|Conservative]] government closed down many of the mines after a dispute between the government and the [[National Union of miners]], which is known as the [[UK miners' strike (1984-1985)|miners' strike]].
The strike began when the government reneged on previous declarations and announced the closure of the majority of pits due to unprofitability and inefficiency. The strike lasted for a year between 1984 and 1985. The strike was observed by aproximately 70% of miners in North East Derbyshire. It caused massive social upheaval as traditionally close-knit communities became divided between those who worked and those who didn't. Striking miners went unpaid and were not entitled to state welfare benefits, meaning that thousands of families relied on handouts and poverty became rife.
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