Mid 20th century opencast coal workings are visible on historical air photos. In the late 1940s pits covering approximately 20 hectares were open and active in fields on the north-west side of Netherton. By the late 1950s these had been filled in, relandscaped and returned to cultivation. Another pit (approximately 5 hectares) had opened in the fields to the immediate north of the village. This too was subsequently filled in, relandscaped and returned to cultivation.