The Harewood Coal Mining Company, also known as the Harewood Colliery Company, was
founded by
Horace Douglas Lascelles, son of the third earl of Harewood. The company officially launched in
1864. In
April 1864,
Robert Dunsmuir joined the Harewood Coal Company, although his time in the company was not long lasting
as the company had few investments and was soon abandoned due to bankruptcy in
1869. The Harewood Coal Company was an important destination for the newly built roads
from
Nanaimo, transportation was valued for the distribution of coal in and out of the
Nanaimo area.