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Unity Mine owners file for administration Unity Mine owners file for administration
(35 minutes later)
The owners of Wales' largest drift mine are filing for administration, it has been confirmed.The owners of Wales' largest drift mine are filing for administration, it has been confirmed.
The future of the Unity Mine near Neath has been uncertain in recent months after management said they only had work for 66 staff out of 220.The future of the Unity Mine near Neath has been uncertain in recent months after management said they only had work for 66 staff out of 220.
Richard Nugent, director with Unity Mine Limited, said the company had been "forced into the process of filing for administration".Richard Nugent, director with Unity Mine Limited, said the company had been "forced into the process of filing for administration".
He added the workforce would be maintained until further notice.He added the workforce would be maintained until further notice.
"Unfortunately the Unity Group of Companies have been forced into the process of filing for administration whilst discussions continue about the future direction of the mine," he said."Unfortunately the Unity Group of Companies have been forced into the process of filing for administration whilst discussions continue about the future direction of the mine," he said.
"Fundraising negotiations are continuing with various parties and the current workforce will be maintained until further notice.""Fundraising negotiations are continuing with various parties and the current workforce will be maintained until further notice."
Job share
In recent months, workers at Unity Mine were told there was not enough work for everyone.
The staff at the site offered to share shifts between all of the workers which meant they got on average a quarter of their previous pay.
It was seen as a way that could safeguard the pit's future.
At the time The National Union of Miners (NUM) said it was not an ideal solution but it would provide a "breathing space".
But bosses at the mine were unable to remedy the situation and have filed for administration.
Gwenda Thomas, the assembly member for Neath, described the announcement that the mine had gone into administration as "extremely regrettable".
"I sincerely hope that the administrators can find new owners for the mine, and preserve the miners' jobs and the future of the apprentices," she said.
Welsh government officials continue to be in discussion with management at the mine.
Meanwhile, Tyrone O'Sullivan, chairman of Tower Colliery in the Cynon Valley said: "It's difficult for me to comment further because a number of ex-Tower employees are working there and we are a rival company.
"But it's a tragedy that in a country that burned 61 million tonnes of coal last year that we are allowing mines to close."
In September 2012 the BBC reported that 94% of all Welsh coal came from opencast sites, the remainder from drift mines.In September 2012 the BBC reported that 94% of all Welsh coal came from opencast sites, the remainder from drift mines.
Despite producing a small proportion of Welsh coal, the four underground pits in Wales employ nearly 600 people.Despite producing a small proportion of Welsh coal, the four underground pits in Wales employ nearly 600 people.
The vast majority work at two pits in the Neath Valley at Unity and Aberpergwm.The vast majority work at two pits in the Neath Valley at Unity and Aberpergwm.
Unity Mine opened in 2007 with reserves of up to 90 million tonnes of coal.Unity Mine opened in 2007 with reserves of up to 90 million tonnes of coal.