Swansea Bay Mining Firm in £100m Deal
THE EXPANSION of the Aberpergwm Mine near Glynneath will see the site double the size of its surface operation, ready for a huge increase in production that is expected to increase output from 150-200,000 tonnes a year, to around a million.
Planning committee members unanimously approved the plans by mine-owner, Energybuild, which will help ensure the prosperity of the area and secure the growth of associated businesses.
Blaengwrach councillor Alf Sidley, who is on the mine liaison committee, said: "One of the very pleasing things is that 10 per cent of the workforce are apprentices and the company is in negotiations with the council to open up a training centre on the opposite side of the road. In the long term they are hoping to have the mines rescue there as well, so I am all for this proposal."
Previously, most of the coal has been transported to the washery at Tower Colliery, but as this is soon due to become unavailable, there is a need to develop modern facilities at the Aberpergwm site. Head of Planning, Geoff White, gave assurance that there would be measures to deal with noise and dust issues, while there would not be any significant visual impact.





