Coal Authority awarded five-year contract by Natural Resources Wales

The work involves 315 inspections at 291 sites, including disused colliery tips, quarries and civil engineering structures.

Darren Bryant, Public Safety and Subsidence Principal Project Manager at the Coal Authority, said: “Regular inspection and monitoring of disused colliery tips and other historical mining features is important to monitor land stability, ensure public safety and for early identification of any environmental issues.

“The Coal Authority has been providing tip and quarry inspection services for Natural Resources Wales since 2016, and in September 2018 we were successful in winning a five-year contract to continue to provide these services.

“As the government body responsible for managing the legacies associated with the historical coal mining industry of Britain, the Coal Authority has a vast amount of experience in the inspection, restoration and overall management of disused colliery spoil heaps and former mining structures.

“We undertake a comprehensive inspection programme of our own portfolio that includes 40 disused colliery tips and approximately 800 other mining features. We do this by conducting on-site assessments, utilising remote monitoring and telemetry equipment and by combining these with various ground movement and water level monitoring techniques to ensure our sites are managed safely.”