AM to meet Minister with opencast mining concerns
12 June 2009
Plaid Cymru’s Bethan Jenkins AM has requested a meeting with Assembly Environment Minister Jane Davidson to raise concerns on behalf of constituents and campaigners who fear new regulations on opencast mining may not be enough to protect the health and wellbeing of communities in Wales.
On the 20th January the Minister issued a statement called the Minerals Technical Advice Notes: Coal (Coal MTAN), which included the implementation of a 500 meter buffer zone for future opencast developments. Campaigners and residents have however voiced concerns that the Coal MTAN includes a number of exemptions that could result in opencast mining without the stipulated 500 meter buffer zone being observed.
Speaking today, Ms Jenkins said:
“There is concern amongst those who have contacted me with regards to the exclusions identified to the implementation of a buffer zone as shown in Section 49 of the document. Campaigners and constituents alike state that the ‘exceptional circumstances’ are far too wide ranging, and therefore mitigate the effectiveness of the implementation of the 500m buffer zone.”
Neath-based Ms Jenkins said she hoped to meet with the Minister as soon as possible to raise such concerns directly. She added:
The ‘exceptional circumstances’ are numerous and varied and it is important that they do not transpire into loop-holes for developers.”
Ms Jenkins added her belief in a presumption against opencast mining being allowed, adding:
“I am of the firm view that a strict ‘presumption against’ opencast coal mining for any new applications or extensions, especially in Green Wedge areas is essential for the sake of our communities. I am also of the view that the use of economic regeneration as a premise for expansion in opencast mining should be abandoned.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Exceptional circumstances:
Exceptionally, having considered the evidence put forward with a
surface or underground coal working application, coal working may be permitted
within 500m of settlements. Factors to be considered include:
• where coal working provides the most effective solution to prevent
risks to health and safety arising from previous mineral working;
• to remediate land damaged by shallow coal workings or mine waste,
where coal extraction appears to be the most sustainable option;
• where topography, natural features such as woodland, or existing
development, would significantly and demonstrably mitigate impacts;
• where major roads or railways lie between the settlement and the
proposed operational area and coal working would not result in appreciable
cumulative and in-combination effects;
• where the surface expression of underground working does not
include the significant handling or storage of the mineral or waste;
• when the proposal is of overriding significance for regeneration,
employment and economy in the local area; or
• where extraction would be in advance of other, permanent,
development which cannot reasonably be located elsewhere.
