News Sniffer - Revisionista 'Mining returns to once-doomed pit' diff viewer (0/1)

This article is from 'bbc', was first published or seen on Mon Apr 02 09:00:10 UTC 2007 and has 2 versions.

It has 7 recommendations -

Revisionista

Article Links

Versions

Mining returns to once-doomed pit

Mining returns to once-doomed pit

Version 0	Version 1
Mining returns to once-doomed pit Mon Apr 02 09:10:12 UTC 2007	Mining returns to once-doomed pit Mon Apr 02 12:00:37 UTC 2007
A mine in South Yorkshire is bringing coal to the surface for the first time in 13 years.	A mine in South Yorkshire is bringing coal to the surface for the first time in 13 years.
Hatfield Colliery near Doncaster, which closed in 1994 when the coal industry was privatised, becomes the ninth deep shaft coal mine operational in the UK.	Hatfield Colliery near Doncaster, which closed in 1994 when the coal industry was privatised, becomes the ninth deep shaft coal mine operational in the UK.
Rising prices of coal and other forms of energy on world markets have made mining a realistic prospect again.	Rising prices of coal and other forms of energy on world markets have made mining a realistic prospect again.
Hatfield's owner, Richard Budge, has spent £100m to bring the pit back to life, creating 350 jobs in the process.	Hatfield's owner, Richard Budge, has spent £100m to bring the pit back to life, creating 350 jobs in the process.
He told the BBC: "Most people think it is unbelievable that you can reopen an old colliery, but we have done that.	He told the BBC: "Most people think it is unbelievable that you can reopen an old colliery, but we have done that.
"I always thought there was a future for coal but a lot of other people didn't think that.	"I always thought there was a future for coal but a lot of other people didn't think that.
"The rest of the world has been investing in the industry since we started to close ours down. It's a UK disease not a world disease."	"The rest of the world has been investing in the industry since we started to close ours down. It's a UK disease not a world disease."
There still hundreds years of coal left in Yorkshire - but people seem more interested in going down the nuclear option Dave Hadfield, former mine worker	There still hundreds years of coal left in Yorkshire - but people seem more interested in going down the nuclear option Dave Hadfield, former mine worker
~~His company, Powerfuel, plans to drive 70m down to the Barnsley Seam, which contains some 27 million tonnes of recoverable coal worth about £100m.~~	His company, Powerfuel, plans to drive 70m down to the Barnsley Seam, which contains some 27 million tonnes of recoverable coal.
That represents about half of the UK's accessible coal.	That represents about half of the UK's accessible coal.
After it becomes fully operational next year, Hatfield will produce between 2 and 2.5 million tonnes a year - enough to supply electricity to Leeds and Sheffield simultaneously.	After it becomes fully operational next year, Hatfield will produce between 2 and 2.5 million tonnes a year - enough to supply electricity to Leeds and Sheffield simultaneously.
In addition, there is a site east of Hatfield which contains a further 75 million tonnes, for which Powerfuel is seeking permission to mine.	In addition, there is a site east of Hatfield which contains a further 75 million tonnes, for which Powerfuel is seeking permission to mine.
Richard Budge [right] agreed the biggest machinery deal in 20 years	Richard Budge [right] agreed the biggest machinery deal in 20 years
Powerfuel has secured major deals to supply coal to power producer E.On and Drax power station at Selby.	Powerfuel has secured major deals to supply coal to power producer E.On and Drax power station at Selby.
In the longer term, it has also been given planning permission on a neighbouring site for a £1.2bn "clean" power station, which could be operational by 2012.	In the longer term, it has also been given planning permission on a neighbouring site for a £1.2bn "clean" power station, which could be operational by 2012.
Dave Hadfield, a former branch delegate at Silverwood colliery in Rotherham, said: "It's obviously a good thing if any pit reopens.	Dave Hadfield, a former branch delegate at Silverwood colliery in Rotherham, said: "It's obviously a good thing if any pit reopens.
"It's going to be a good thing for the area and the former workers, because it's a totally different experience working down a coal mine, so they will go for experienced men."	"It's going to be a good thing for the area and the former workers, because it's a totally different experience working down a coal mine, so they will go for experienced men."
But Mr Hadfield remained wary about the future of the coal industry.	But Mr Hadfield remained wary about the future of the coal industry.
He said: "There still hundreds years of coal left in Yorkshire, but people seem more interested in going down the nuclear option."	He said: "There still hundreds years of coal left in Yorkshire, but people seem more interested in going down the nuclear option."