mine | Common News Update

Mar132021 by adminNo Comments

Cumbria coal mine: Public inquiry after government U-turn

Science

West Cumbria Mining CompanyA public inquiry has been announced into plans for the first new deep coal mine in the UK for decades.The government had previously decided not to intervene in the project near Whitehaven in Cumbria, which was in the hands of local officials.But ministers have taken control because of "increased" controversy.Green campaigners say the mine will increase carbon emissions and send the wrong signal in the run-up to a UK-hosted climate conference in October.The Woodhouse Colliery would extract coking coal for the steel industry from the seabed off St Bees, with a processing plant at Kells, in Whitehaven.New coal mine plan 'damaging PM's reputation'Why the battle for British coal matters to the worldMinister rapped for allowing new coal mine Cumbria County Council coun...

Mar82021 by adminNo Comments

Whitehaven coal mine firm seeks judicial review of council U-turn

Science

West Cumbria Mining CompanyA company planning to build a coal mine in Cumbria is taking legal action over the county council's decision to reconsider its approval of the scheme.The authority granted West Cumbria Mining (WCM) planning permission in October but the plans had not been formalised.WCM said the decision to reconsider approval "cannot be justified" and it is seeking a judicial review.Cumbria County Council has been approached for comment.The firm's CEO Mark Kirkbride said it was "extremely regrettable that WCM has been placed in this position after committing so much time, resource and private funding"."The latest actions of the council have created a very real risk that the project will never be delivered, which would be devastating for West Cumbria, as well as the Northern Powe...

Feb252021 by adminNo Comments

Six killed and one missing after illegal gold mine in Indonesia collapses

World

Six people have been killed after an illegal gold mine in Indonesia's Sulawesi island collapsed on nearly two dozen people working inside.One other worker is missing following the incident, officials said on Thursday. An estimated 22 people became trapped in the rubble when the mine in Central Sulawesi province's Parigi Moutong district collapsed late on Wednesday due to unstable soil, according to Andrias Hendrik Johannes, who heads the local search and rescue agency.The bodies of four women and two men were recovered during a gruelling search effort through the night.Rescuers were also able to pull 15 survivors from the debris. ...

Feb102021 by adminNo Comments

Whitehaven coal mine plan to be re-examined by council

Science

West Cumbria Mining CompanyPlans for a controversial coking coal mine in Cumbria have been suspended by the county council.Councillors will reconsider the planning application for a site near Whitehaven in light of concerns about climate change. The council granted planning permission to West Cumbria Mining back in October, and the government decided recently not to challenge the decision.But now the council has said it will re-assess the permission.Guidance from the government's advisory Climate Change Committee (CCC) in December recommended that the use of coking coal should be curbed by 2035, whereas the council have granted permission to dig until 2049.A council statement said: "In light of this the council has decided that the planning application should be reconsidered by the Develop...

Feb42021 by adminNo Comments

Climate change: Boris Johnson ‘risks humiliation’ over coal mine

Science

West Cumbria Mining CompanyThe leading climate scientist James Hansen has warned Boris Johnson that he risks “humiliation“ over plans for a new coal mine in Cumbria.The UK government, which hosts a climate summit this year, has allowed the mine at Whitehaven to go ahead.Dr Hansen, formerly Nasa's leading global warming researcher, urged the PM to halt production - or be "vilified".No 10 said the UK was a world leader on climate change, but would not reverse the local council decision on the mine.Minister rapped for allowing new coal mine Government defends Cumbria coal mine green lightFirst deep coal mine in 30 years a step closerIn his letter, Dr Hansen - whose testimony before the US Senate helped raise wider awareness of global warming back in 1988 - writes: "In leading the [climate con...