Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

The thing is that kind of deep mining is simply no longer sustainable, because its labour intensive and produces good quality, but very expensive coal.

Most of the mines that are still going in the UK are open cast. Much more visually/environmentally disruptive, but a funkload cheaper.

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

Yes, and less dangerous. Worked both, up and down. Lady windsor colliery and Ryans reclamation at Aberfan S.Wales.

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

Just seen this section. In my opinion is YES. Without any question. There are still seams of coal to be cut.

It would benefit so many people OAPs, create jobs in some of the worst Jobless hotspots in the country

It was That old woman who ruined the coal industry, as she wanted to get rid of the NUM and Arthur Scargill wanted to save jobs

Yes, we import coal, but at the end of the day, its jobs that are needed in this country. And opening the pits would create wealth for the local towns

It really gets my goat when they talk about the costs of opening mines again will cost a fortune.
Look what this country would save on benefits. Must be billions per year

Trouble is that IF the idea would be put to the Government, it would be a kick in the teeth for Thatcher. And the Tories wouldn't do that, would they

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

The mines can't be reopened, they flood and shale ruins any coal seams it comes across, it was an act of vandalism not to protect this asset for future generations, especially as what's happened was all to predictable, it was also criminal the amount of equipment that was left down there, lots of it shiny new.

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

Thing is Arthur, if we re open these mines and start digging out tonnes of anthracite, what are we going to do with it?

You can't burn it for electricity thanks to Labour's 2008 climate change act

The number of homes reliant on coal for heating is pretty minimal

Shipping and the railways haven't used coal for the thick end of 60 years

Also, it would be a monumental waste of coal. Wait until the coal price climbs again, and then look at reopening mines.

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

According to a Government sponsored report on Electricity Generation, in 2014 30% was still being generated using coal!

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

Doesn't look like they have much of a future though:

Linky

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

True, I was making the point in answer to a previous post that there was currently a significant amount of electricity being generated in the UK using coal.

However the important word in the link ref closure of coal fired power stations is "considering", nowhere near a done deal yet! With successive governments of either party being very poor at long term energy planning and execution their life will probably extend well after the projected date for closure.

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

It is true that, as it stands, coal is a massive supplier to grid. However when you see how many coal power stations have closed without replacement, and the money going in to nuclear (which supplies the same kind of steady baseload capacity as coal does) then you can't really rely on power stations as a source of demand in the long term.

Also, what's the point in reopening coal mines at the bottom of the market? You might as well leave the coal there until the price starts to rise.

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

As l have already said, yes, it is a long time since the Mines were closed. But wouldn't it be better for this country on the Job front.

Britain used to be the pride of great Industries. The mines could do so much, Oil companies spend thousands of pounds in drilling for new oil fields.

Why cant we do that. At the end of the day, we have young adults that could work at the mines, solving the jobless situation and OAPs could benefit with cheap fuel.

I cannot see any problems with producing coal in this country.

Instead of importing it - we can produce it ourself

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

Scargill was just as guilty as Thatcher. If he'd kept his ego in check he could of won but he played right into thatchers hands

Lions led by donkeys

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

Not Really

If you haven't noticed, the world oil price is down as well, leading to lost jobs in the oil and gas industry. Also, oil and gas are in much higher demand than coal.

Mining is skilled, dangerous and most of all deeply unattractive work. You can't just send Job Centre Johnny off underground. It's going to cost millions and take years to train them and for what? Coal mining is a dying industry, and has been since the 1970s. You might as well train them as betamax video repairmen for all the use it'll be.

As for OAPs benefiting from cheap fuel, how many people actually have a proper fireplace at home any more? 85% of homes use gas. You can't burn lumps of coal in a gas boiler.


There are many. Our deep mines are expensive and inefficient for one thing.


Why would you dig coal out of the ground here for (say) £120/tonne when you can buy it from the open market for £80/tonne?

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

Because Arthur thinks it's a good idea and it'll give him an excuse for blaming the Tories for the extra costs which will have to be made up from higher taxes and/or prices in one way or another.

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

It has nothing to do with Thatcher/ Cameron bashing. All parts of the UK need jobs. I went to Wales many years ago, and went to clean many kitchens in the Valleys.

I think the best time l went there - in the mining areas was the friendliness of the miners, and l had to clean a Van known as the Miners Chippy, - The Mobile Chippie. These areas have now been shut through political ways.

Communities need work, that's why l believe Coal Mines should reopen with Government support.

Each year we send billions of OUR money abroad. We could use that, Training - yes, the government say we can retrain - why not for the mining community.

IF, Job Centre out ads out looking for Miners - l believe that the queue would be big. Its a job, it will pay the bills.

I cannot think of a better idea.

Re: Should the coal mines in the UK be reopened?
 

If you can't think of a better idea, then you can't really be thinking hard enough.

The world has an OVERsupply of coal currently. That is, the world is producing MORE coal than it needs, hence why the price is in free fall.

If you were going to reopen UK mines, then you'd want to do it when there was an UNDERsupply of coal. That is, the world is producing LESS coal than it needs, and the price is rising.

Trying to go against the world market is like trying to turn back the tide with stern language and a shovel.

In simple terms, it would be cheaper for the Government not to even bother digging the coal out of the ground and simply pay the payroll every month.