Consett mine closes
The final lump of coal was extracted from one of England’s last remaining coal mines on Monday 17 August.
Mining
Mining
Coal free
16 May 2016
On 10 May 2016 no electricity was generated by burning coal in Britain. The previous day the National Grid had to issue a crisis call for additional generation to avoid power cuts. Deliberately taking out one source of power is reckless when Britain's energy supply is uncertain.
Last deep mine closes
The decision to close Kellingley Pit, the last of Britain’s deep coal mines, sounds the death knell not only for coal mining but electricity generation from coal.
Mining: Union loan saves pit
Hatfield Colliery in South Yorkshire, one of the three remaining deep British mines, has been handed a lifeline in the shape of a £4 million loan by the National Union of Mineworkers.
Pit faces early shutdown
The withdrawal of Hargreaves Services from the funding package to keep Kellingley pit in West Yorkshire open for a further two years of managed closure has brought to the fore the prospect of an early shutdown.
Minerals: Tungsten mine for Devon
The first new metal mine in Britain for 40 years will open next year in Devon following the approval of £130 million of investment.
Britain needs coal. Why can’t it be British coal?*
Britain’s coal industry is to be reduced to one deep pit and a handful of opencast mines. While the government drags its feet and the opposition remains silent, it falls to organised labour to put energy security on the agenda…