Rapidly rising water levels at the site of the UK’s largest opencast mine have caused concerns among nearby residents. The Ffos-y-Fran mine in Merthyr Tydfil, which was responsible for 86% of the UK’s coal output before closing, has not been filled back in as originally planned since closing down in November 2023. It is now feared that the mine will become a “dangerous” and “contaminated” lake if it is not filled in. Campaigners argue that the community is being left with the giant pit and surrounding land being inappropriately re-profiled.
Although Merthyr Tydfil council believes that a revised restoration proposal will include a body of water, emails reveal that it has offered reassurances that operators, Merthyr (South Wales) Limited, does not plan to reintroduce pumps to remove the water. Ground water levels are currently under continual monitoring while restoration plans are updated.
Local residents are concerned about the lack of action on this issue and blame the council for allowing it to get worse. Plaid Cymru Senedd member, Delyth Jewell, has written to the Welsh government asking for it to intervene. The Welsh government has stated it is closely monitoring the situation and its priority is safeguarding the site to ensure local community safety. The Coal Authority has stated that managing the restoration and safeguarding is the responsibility of the landowner and local authority.
The mine is officially classified as a “land reclamation scheme,” with developing spoil heaps being pushed back into the mining void once 11 million tonnes of coal had been extracted over 15 years. More than a year after the site’s planning permission had expired the site ceased operations and its 115 staff members were made redundant. Although Merthyr (South Wales) Limited has warned of “insufficient funds” to carry out the work as planned, campaigners insist that the site should be fully restored in line with planning permission granted in 2007
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