The mining of coal without a permit or permission was a frequent problem in the Lethbridge area mines as the News reports of 1914-18 make evident. One group of illegal coal miners called themselves the Moonlight Coal Company and mined coal without a permit or lease from the C.P.R. (this was necessary because they mined near the High Level Bridge). The main opposition to this activity was not the economic loss of coal, but rather the danger that tunneling and blasting posed for the nearby bridge. There was also concern for the safety of individual miners who illegally dug for coal. Many of these illegal miners dug coal for profit while others dug for a winter supply. Their activity led to concerns about the possible under-mining of other mines. This became a problem at Galt Mine No. 3 where illegal mining below the water level left the mine susceptible to flooding during times of high water levels. The penalties for such activities, however, were minor and intended mostly as a warning to others. Unfortunately, the only deterrent that really seemed to work was the deaths of people mining illegally.
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