Coal was discovered at Selene, south of the new settlement of Monto, by Jonas Thomas c 1925.
Jonas had emigrated from Wales and owned the original farm were the mine is located. He first discovered coal by sinking a well as he was an experienced miner with a long family history in mining.
His brother soon joined him from Wales with the intention of starting a coal mine. Unfortunately there was not a strong market for coal during Australia’s early pioneering history, not even for the local railway at the time. Without the money to develop the mine it eventually to lay dormant for many years.
In 1947 the Selene mine opened as Burnett Collieries by V & L Walkers who already owned mining interests in the Ipswich area. However, the mine was only active for 18 years, closing in 1965. 516,000 tons of coal had been produced during this time.
The story of the Selene Mine can be read in Reminiscences of The Selene Mine compiled by Col List. A copy can be viewed at the Monto Historical & Cultural Complex.