Coal mine set to close after 100 years

Maltby Colliery near Rotherham, which has been producing coal for more than 100 years, is 
no longer viable on health and safety, geological and financial grounds, owners Hargreaves Services said.

The pit, which employs around 500 workers, will be mothballed by the end of March.

Hargreaves made the proposal last month and since then has received submissions from a working party, including unions and consultants. “The company has now concluded that, as with its own previous findings, the plans presented by the working party do not provide it with a viable alternative solution,” it said.

Hargreaves said it was hoping a “substantial” number of Maltby employees will find other jobs. The firm manages the Hatfield pit, near Doncaster, where experienced workers are being recruited.