Rising coal prices are prompting more companies to apply for the expansion of mines, posing a big threat to measures being undertaken for pollution control across Britain. The mining industry is poised to expand despite fears that it would lead to high emission, climate changes and create health hazards for communities.

Council records indicate that in last 18 months 14 companies have sought permission for extracting 60 million tonnes of coal from 58 new opencast mines. If approved, it would be the fastest expansion of coal mining in 40 years and could be turning Northumberland and southern Scotland into the biggest coal mined regions in Europe.

The dramatic increase in coal prices has driven demand for new mines in the UK. The prices have risen 4 times in the last two years. Though surface or opencast mines are less costly than deep mines, inhabitants in surrounding areas can suffer from pollution effects for years.

Coal mine expansion will be a setback to the efforts of Energy and Climate Change Secretary in reduction of carbon emissions. According to study conducted by the Public Interest Research Centre (Pirc), local authorities have given approval for expansion of 16 existing and 24 new open mines in the past 18 months.

Pirc’s Richard Hawkins saw clear contradiction in Government’s plan of 80% emission cuts and massive investment plan in new coal mines.