More opencast mine applications 'will be likely'
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Sunday, August 15, 2010
Applications for opencast mining on greenfield sites are likely to increase to meet the UK's demand for energy, the British Geological Survey has said.
The research council says the stock of brownfield sites suitable for opencast mining is now running out at a time when energy demands are increasing.
Mining corporation UK Coal says this supply of fossil fuel is essential to meet energy demands.
But people living near opencast sites say they are dirty, loud and unsightly.
Most of this type of mining currently takes place on brownfield sites, but that stock is running out and the British Geological Survey says more applications are expected in the future to mine in the open countryside.
Environmental groups say opencast mining ruins the natural habitat, but UK Coal says there are safeguards in place to protect the countryside and mining companies are legally obliged to restore the land when the mine finally closes.
Opencast mines in the UK are expected to produce 10m tonnes of coal this year.