Deep coal mines have a long history in the UK dating back some 400 years. On the other hand, opencast coal mines only became common between 1940 and 60, becoming the dominant mining method in the UK as deep coal mining entered rapid decline. Opencast coal mining techniques…
We worked with media outlet, Nation.Cymru, to ask where the main political parties in Wales stands on restoration issues ahead of the Welsh election on 07th May 2026. This is a key issue for many people, but particularly those who live near under-restored opencast coal mine sites…
As part of our Politics Unspun series we are unpacking politicians’ public comments on coal to challenge any misleading or incorrect messages. Todays’ focus is on comments made in a BBC interview during the Senedd election campaign about coal mining in Wales. During the interview, Reform UK candidate in Afan Ogwr Rhondda, Ben Hodge-McKenna…
Coal Action Network is proud to present our 2026 manifesto for Wales. With the Senedd elections taking place in May this year, Wales stands at a decisive moment. For over a century, coal has shaped Welsh landscapes, communities, and politics. Today, Wales has the opportunity to shape something very different…
As part of our Politics Unspun series we are unpacking politicians’ public comments on coal to challenge any misleading or incorrect messages. Todays’ focus is on comments made during a Westminster Hall debate in December 2025 about the oil refining sector. During the debate, Lee Anderson MP made some statements about coal…
The Government is reforming planning policy in England and thanks to thousands of our supporters asking for an end to coal extraction in the last consultation in 2024, they are now recommending that planners “should not identify new sites or extensions to existing sites for peat or coal extraction”…
Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd mined for over a year illegally after planning permission for the Ffos-y-fran opencast coal mine ended in September 2022. During that year, it made record-breaking profits due to sanctions on Russia and other factors driving up the price of coal. But rather than using some of the profits from that ill-gotten coal…
In November 2024, the new UK Government announced its intention to legislate a ban of new coal mining licences – which we welcomed. Over a year later, the legislation is yet to be introduced, and the Government is not planning to include all types of extraction…
The UK steel and cement sectors (and to a lesser extent, bricks) are the largest users of coal following the closing down of the UK’s last coal-fired power station in September 2024. Check out our coal dashboard for our most recent coal stats including an industry break-down. We support the UK Government’s commitment to ban…
European countries should obey the rules they agreed at the recent summit chaired by Boris Johnson. Incidentally, has Boris or any of his mates got shares or any interest in any of these companies’ goings on? Why are we mining this stuff in any case? It’s only for capitalist gain. We don’t need it and certainly shouldn’t affect people’s livelihoods without mitigation and / or compensation for their losses.
Respect to these and all indigenous people. They have all suffered so much, for so long and continue to be treated with contempt by many.
They have all been forced to move off their lands, by immigrants, and should not have to endure this vile treatment any longer.
Please treat these people with respect and remember that God made the world, it doesn’t belong to us. We must share our resources and talk to live peacefully alongside each other. Let these people be. Leave the water alone, it is evil to contaminate what is rightfully theirs. It is not your right to take matters into your own hands. With the way that the world is changing, natural disasters taking over, can change or end our lives in one second. So end this prejudice and hatred. Teach future generations to share and show more respect. Give these people a clean water supply. Stop creating chaos and start to work with them.