Government 'looking at number of options' for UK Coal
UK Coal has told ITV Central it is confident Thoresby Colliery in Nottinghamshire is still viable. The company has lost more than £200 million in a fire at another pit.
And it is talking to the government about what help it can give to make sure UK Coal survives.
Commenting on the future of UK Coal a Department of Energy and Climate Change spokesman said:
"The Government is looking at a number of options with UK Coal and our discussions are ongoing."
UK Coal may be nationalised following Daw Mill fire
Britain's largest coal mining firm is calling on the government for financial support, following the underground fire at Daw Mill which has left the pit and workforce redundant.
Parts of UK Coal may return to public ownership under plans being discussed by ministers that would protect some, or all, of the company's ailing pension scheme.
The underground blaze at Daw Mill in Warwickshire, has resulted in 650 miners being put out of work. The damage has cost UK Coal £160million in lost coal and a further £100million in equipment losses.
Andrew Mcintosh, spokesperson for UK Coal, said a third of the company's business was affected by the fire at Daw Mill, which is still burning.
Nuneaton MP asks government for Daw Mill Colliery employment support
The Conservative MP for Nuneaton, Marcus Jones, has today asked the government for employment support following the loss of 650 jobs at the Daw Mill Colliery in Warwickshire.
UK Coal announced earlier this month that the colliery would have to close after a ferocious underground fire made operations unfeasible.
The workforce has been made redundant because of the blaze.
Miners at Daw Mill Colliery last night got the news they have been dreading, the pit is to close. It is one of the last deep coal mines in the country, but has been under threat of closure for some years.
A fire at the coal face, which began two weeks ago and is still burning has now put paid to any hopes it might survive, as Callum Watkinson reports.
Daw Mill fire halts 25 years of mining in Warwickshire
Daw Mill Colliery has enough coal to keep it mining for another 25 years but the fire that is still burning 740m deep under ground has forced it to close.
MP criticises the Energy Secretary's absence in light of Daw Mill closure
Barry Gardiner MP who advises Labour leader Ed Milliband on energy, has 'hit-out' at the Energy Secretary today in parliament, criticising him for not being present following the closure of Daw Mill colliery.
The leader of the house Andrew Lansley defended Energy Secretary Ed Davey, saying he had been meeting with UK Coal to discuss matters.
MP determined to do the best for the situation at Daw Mill
Marcus Jones, the MP for Nuneaton has told ITV News Central that he has been meeting with all the relevant people to try and do the best for the situation at Daw Mill.
A spokesman for UK Coal, Andrew Macintosh, has told ITV News Central:
"As you can feel here, the place is empty. It's not how we wanted it to be at all. It's very sad and difficult news for our workforce and we're trying to get out and see as many of them as we can".
UK Coal Mine Holdings has announced that Daw Mill Colliery in Warwickshire will close.
The company blames the closure to 'the largest fire seen in a UK coal mine in over 30 years'.
The fire is still burning 740m below the surface and shows no signs of reducing.
“This has been a terrible week, not just for the company and its employees but also for the energy security of the country, as it brings an end to 47 years of coal production at Daw Mill."
Only a 'small, core team' will keep their jobs to secure the site over the next coming months. The rest of the 650-strong workforce will lose their jobs.
“We are now exploring the possible transfer of some colleagues to our other mines. Regrettably however, this news is likely to see the majority of the Daw Mill workforce being made redundant and our thoughts and best wishes are with these colleagues and their families at this difficult time.”
– Kevin McCullough, Chief Executive for UK Coal Mine Holdings
Daw Mill has been at risk of closure since March 2012 when it was also announced that a restructuring was needed to safeguard the entire business.
