collieries

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Colliery \Col"lier*y\, n.; pl. {Collieries}. [Cf. {Coalery},
   {Collier}.]
   1. The place where coal is dug; a coal mine, and the
      buildings, etc., belonging to it.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The coal trade. [Obs.] --Johnson.
      [1913 Webster]