Carrying coals to Newcastle? New mine awaits decision

Banks Mining and Ibstock Brick have submitted a joint application to Newcastle City Council, UK, to extract 800,000 tonnes of high quality, north east coal and 400,000 tonnes of fireclay for the brick making industry.

If approved, coal from the mine could find a use in steel and cement manufacturing and for fuelling heritage railways say Banks Mining. The company says minerals from Dewley Hill can be mined, restored and transported to UK customers for less carbon dioxide emissions than just for the coal to be transported from Australia or Russia to the UK.

A decision on whether to allow the opencast coal mine on the outskirts of Newcastle will be made before the year end claims the Council. The next meeting to discuss the project is due on  18 December.