UK coal mines

In the midst of the climate crisis, the UK still mines, exports, and imports coal. The City of London is also a key hub financing coal expansion around the world. In the UK, coal is primarily used for steel and cement production.

What is the UK coal mine situation?

Currently, there is one large operating coal mine in the UK – Aberpergwm, South Wales. The only other active coal mine is the relatively small Ayle Colliery, in Northumberland. There is also a pre-application proposal to mine two Bedwas tips (South Wales) of some 400,000 tonnes of coal. We are fighting alongside local residents to secure the restoration of Ffos-y-fran opencast coal mine. Read our coal facts and figures, or our myth busters. Find out what’s the difference between opencast and deep coal mines.

Coal mine updates