Mechanization in West Virginia coal mines happened gradually through the first half of the 1900s. Early mining was done mostly by hand, but machines were introduced over time to help with hauling, ventilation, and cutting coal. Electricity became the main power source underground, replacing steam and compressed air.

In the early 1900s, locomotives replaced mules for hauling coal, and undercutting machines made part of the miners’ job easier. However, miners still had to drill, blast, and load coal by hand. In the 1920s, conveyor belts and eventually mobile loaders helped speed up the process and reduce physical labor. Though many miners resisted machines, union leader John L. Lewis supported them to raise worker pay and output.

By the late 1940s and 1950s, machines took over most mining tasks, and miners became machine operators. New technology like the roof-bolter and continuous mining machines made mining faster and safer but also caused many job losses. In the 1970s, longwall mining allowed even more coal to be mined with fewer workers. By the 21st century, West Virginia was producing more coal than ever—mostly thanks to machines and computers—but with far fewer miners.