Owners of Aberpergwm Colliery are conducting final checks on the Coal Authority’s approval for a full underground licence to expand the anthracite mine in the Vale of Neath near Glynneath, South Wales.
EXPANSION
Energybuild Mining Ltd aims to expand the existing mine to extract up to 40 million tonnes of anthracite over the next 20 years.
The company states that Aberpergwm is the only mine in Western Europe producing high-grade anthracite which is “clean burn, low emission, low sulphur and high efficiency”.
COAL AUTHORITY
On 25 January 2022, the Coal Authority approved Energybuild’s application although omitted the actual date of its decision on its website.
The company now has two months to conduct final checks and confirmation.
If positive, the Coal Authority will grant the licence.
| Site name | Date received | Application type | Licensee | Reference | Status | Decision | Date of completion or withdrawal |
| Aberpergwm Colliery | 16/09/2020 | Full Underground licence | Energybuild Mining Limited | CA11/DM/95/0025.1/C | Determined | Approved |
OPPOSITION
The company’s application has met opposition from environmentalists including the Coal Action Network which is taking considering legal action against the decision.
The plans are also subject of a dispute between the UK and Welsh Governments over which is responsible for deciding the application.