The Authority, as the owner of almost all the unworked coal in Britain, licenses private coal mine operators to enable them to mine coal.
For underground mines an operator must demonstrate that it:
- has the necessary finance to fund the operations of the mine and any liabilities that may result from such operations;
- has made financial provisions to meet potential subsidence liabilities;
- has the appropriate experience and expertise available to ensure coal mining operations are properly carried out; and
- will conduct itself in accordance with any agreement with the Health and Safety Executive.
The operator will also need to obtain the necessary permissions from the mineral planning authority and other relevant bodies, as well as the surface access rights from the landowner.
Following the issue of a licence, Authority staff will periodically visit licensee operations to ensure that the terms of the licence are being complied with.
Coal mine operational matters are governed by mining legislation which falls under the responsibility of the Mines Inspectorate which is part of the Health and Safety Executive.
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Note for Editors
The Coal Authority is located at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, was established under the Coal Industry Act 1994 and is sponsored by the Department of Energy and Climate Change. We work to protect the public and the environment in coal mining areas and manage the effects of past coal mining by: working to protect old coal mines from affecting people and property, and dealing with any emergencies; helping to clean up water from coal mines; and providing information about coal mining. We also licence companies to mine coal in Britain.
Media contact:
John Delaney
Corporate Manager
200 Lichfield Lane, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 4RG
Tel: 01623 637000 Fax: 01623 622072
Email: johndelaney@coal.gov.uk