Open-cast Mining: Competition
28th February 2011
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the level of competition in the open cast mining industry; and if he will make a statement.
Charles Hendry: No specific assessment of the open-cast mining industry has been made, but with, at present, 35 operating surface coal mines of varying size throughout Wales, Scotland and England being worked by 16 different operators, competition appears healthy. It should additionally be noted that the industry's licensing body, the Coal Authority, has a policy of seeking competing expressions of interest (among industry and on its website) in respect of any reserves over which it receives a licence application.
