About Us

The Coal Authority works to protect the public and the environment in coal mining areas. We manage the effects of past coal mining, promote public safety and safeguard our landscape.

The Coal Authority owns, on behalf of the country, the vast majority of the coal in Great Britain, as well as former coal mines.

The Coal Authority is an NDPB (non-departmental public body) sponsored by DECC (Department for Energy and Climate Change), and was established by Parliament in 1994 to undertake specific statutory responsibilities associated with:

Licensing coal mining operations in Britain:

We are responsible for licensing coal mining in Britain.

See:
- Permits for Disturbing, Entering or Intersecting Coal Authority property.
- Licenses for exploring or mining Coal Authority property.
Administering coal mining subsidence damage claims:

We will deal with subsidence damage claims which are not the responsibility of licensed coal mine operators.

See:
- Coal mining subsidence damage claims.
- Protecting the public in coal mining areas.

Dealing with property and historic liability issues:

We deal with property and historic liability issues, such as treatment of mine water discharges.

See:
- Historic property, legal and land ownership enquiries.
- Environmental projects and mine water treatment schemes.
Providing access to information on coal mining:

We provide public access to information on past and present coal mining operations.

See:

Providing a 24-hour call out service for public safety hazards:

We operate a 24 hour call-out service for reported public safety hazards and incidents associated with historic coal mining including mine working collapses and mine water/gas emissions.

See:
- Protecting the public in coal mining areas.
- Report a public safety hazard.

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About Us

About Us

Licensing coal mining operations in Britain:

Administering coal mining subsidence damage claims:

Dealing with property and historic liability issues:

Providing access to information on coal mining:

Providing a 24-hour call out service for public safety hazards:

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