Rhymney disaster

IssueNovember 2013
News by Kelvin Mason

The consortium Miller Argent have submitted a planning application to Caerphilly council for the Nant Llesg open-cast coal mine. If Miller Argent obtain planning permission, Nant Llesg near Rhymney will mine up to nine million tonnes of coal and be responsible for approximately 20 million tonnes of CO2.

Local opposition the United Valleys Action Group (UVAG) say this will be a disaster in terms of climate change. UVAG also know the impact of the dust and noise from mining on health, wellbeing and tourism in the area. The adjacent Ffos-y-Frân mine near Merthyr Tydfil is already in operation and is expected to produce almost 11 million tonnes of coal and some 25 million tonnes of CO2.

Ffos-y-Frân incited a campaign of direct action by Wales’ Camp for Climate Action activists, Climate Camp Cymru. A similar response to Nant Llesg can be expected as activists in Wales also mobilise against fracking, coal-bed methane and other extreme energy schemes.

A Climate Camp Cymru spokesperson said: ‘The energy policies of both Westminster and Cardiff governments continue to make a mockery of their supposed commitment to reduce carbon emissions.’

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