A coal mining company in Carmarthenshire, Wales, has submitted fresh plans to extract coal from its Glan Lash open-cast site near Llandybie. Bryn Bach Coal aims to remove 85,000 tonnes of anthracite from a proposed 10-hectare extension, with just under six hectares set to be excavated. The company stated that the high-quality anthracite will be marketed for various purposes such as water purification, brake pad manufacture, and brick-making, assuring it will not be used for energy generation.
According to a design and access statement submitted to Carmarthenshire Council, the extraction process involving six “box cuts” is projected to take almost five-and-a-half years. Following the extraction, the site will be backfilled and restored to its original state, to be maintained for a decade. Bryn Bach Coal has expressed confidence that the project, along with mitigation measures at the adjacent Tirydail tip restoration site, will lead to a significant improvement in overall biodiversity compared to the current state.
In September of the previous year, the council’s planning committee had rejected Bryn Bach Coal’s application to extract coal from the same extension, citing concerns raised by 826 objectors. However, the company’s new proposal aims to address previous reasons for refusal, including avoiding extraction from important habitats and ensuring an increase in biodiversity value post-restoration.
During a summer consultation, Bryn Bach Coal acknowledged community concerns and commissioned specialist reports to address issues raised. While some objections on pollution and habitat grounds have been submitted to the council, the company remains hopeful that its revised plans will gain approval.
The company’s commitment to restoring the site and enhancing biodiversity, along with its efforts to address environmental impact concerns, will likely be scrutinised as the council reviews the new proposal. Residents and environmental groups will be closely monitoring the developments as the council assesses the potential impacts of the coal extraction project in Carmarthenshire.