In the mid-1950's an "expansion programme" was undertaken by the Company and the entire operation concentrated on No. 3 mine. This aerial photograph, taken on a day when Conception Bay was blocked with ice, shows the result. The mine entrance is at the base of the enclosed conveyor belt leading to the tallest of the buildings, which rather resembles a grain elevator, One feature of the "expansion programme" was the installation of a concentrating plant, which can be seen at the extreme left of the picture. Near the back of the Island the entrance to number 6 mine is clearly visible. The large building in the foreground is the Msgr. Bartlett Memorial Arena. The range of Company houses to the immediate right of the No. 3 pithead was known as "the ten commandments." The area on the back of the Island, to the right of No. 6 mine in this picture, was known as "the Green."
