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deep coal mining, Hatfield Colliery,

MPs hear evidence on future of UK deep coal mining

2 July 2014

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The Confederation of UK Coal Producers, mining unions and Chairman of Hatfield Colliery are amongst witnesses that will give evidence to the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee in Parliament on Wednesday 9 July after it was announced that two of the UK’s three remaining deep coal mines will close.

The MPs are holding the public evidence hearing to scrutinise Government efforts to ensure a phased shut down of the pits - Kellingly colliery in Yorkshire and Thorseby colliery in Nottinghamshire.

Ian Lavery MP, member of the Select Committee said: 

"The future closure of Kellingly colliery in Yorkshire and Thorseby colliery in Nottinghamshire puts the future of the deep coal mining industry in jeopardy. Hundreds of direct and indirect jobs rely on this industry in some of the most deprived parts of the country. If we are still burning millions of tonnes of coal every year to keep the lights on, it makes sense to use domestic supplies which will provide investment to parts of the country which desperately need it."

However, the Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, Tim Yeo MP, pointed out: 

"If the deep coal mining industry is to have a future in the UK, there needs to be a decisive push to demonstrate coal-fired carbon capture and storage power plants as soon as possible, in order to provide a long-term market for domestically produced coal. Coal has the highest carbon content of any fossil fuel and we cannot continue to burn it without capturing the carbon beyond the 2020s if we want to prevent the worst effects of climate change."

Witnesses

The meeting will start at 10.00 am on Wednesday 9 July in the Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Panel 1, 10.00 am:

  • John Grogan, Chairman, Hatfield Colliery
  • Nigel Yaxley, Managing Director, Association of UK Coal Importers (CoalImp)
  • Philip Garner, Director General, Confederation of UK Coal Producers (CoalPro)

Panel 2, approx. 10.45 am:

  • Chris Kitchen, General Secretary, National Union of Mineworkers
  • Dean Thornewell, President of Joy Global Eurasia, Joy Mining Machinery
  • Prof Kip Jeffrey, First Quantum Minerals Professor of Mining Education, Camborne School of Mines
  • Philip Pearson, Senior Policy Officer, TUC

Timings are approximate

Purpose of session

The session will explore a range of issues, including:

  • The latest developments at Killingley and Thorseby Collieries
  • The impact of these impending closures
  • The potential role of Government in supporting the coal industry

Further information