Cwrt Herbert Colliery (also known as Court Herbert) was established near Neath Abbey in the first half of the 19th century, near to earlier workings dating from 1793. By 1918 there were more than three hundred men working there. It ceased production in 1929.

The winding engine was used to transport men and coal through the shafts to and from the coalface. At this time the machinery would in all probability have been steam driven, powered by the coal from the pit.