Merthyr Tydfil CBC responds to Ffos-y-Fran media reports

The Council feels compelled to respond to reports in the media following the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee’s report ‘Restoration of opencast mining sites’, which was published today.  

The report looks at the restoration of opencast mining within South Wales and covers several mines, however, specifically references Ffos-y-Fran, which is of particular interest as the last remaining opencast mining site in Wales.

The Council’s position on Ffos-y-Fran is clear, it has consistently acted within its regulatory constraints to monitor the site.

Our commitment to ensure that the site is restored remains unwavering. We are actively working with Merthyr (South Wales) Limited, the site operator, together with Welsh Government, The Coal Authority, Natural Resources Wales and the Health & Safety Executive, to ensure the site is restored in accordance with the planning permission, as granted and varied by Welsh Government.

We fully understand the concerns regarding the formation of a water body within the mining void. Reports in the media that the water contained within the void is toxic are misleading. The water quality is being regularly monitored by Natural Resources Wales, and water levels are being measured on a weekly basis by Merthyr (South Wales) Limited. Regulatory bodies are confident that the body of water poses no risk to health or safety.

An independent Geotechnical Engineer has also recently inspected the site and there are no concerns around its stability or safety. Whilst the site is operational it is also being actively monitored by the Health and Safety Executive.

Merthyr (South Wales) Limited is currently working on submitting a revised restoration strategy. It is envisaged that this will be submitted in November 2024. Meetings in relation to the revised restoration strategy are being held with the regulators, who form a technical working group. In the meantime, the developer retains a presence onsite and is undertaking restoration of a further 54 hectares of the site, in accordance with the approved restoration strategy.

Once a revised strategy is submitted, the Council will consult with the public, and the relevant bodies, in accordance with planning guidance and legislation.

The Council remains dedicated to resolving the situation at Ffos-y-Fran and we are taking all necessary steps available to us to ensure a positive outcome for our residents and the environment. We assume the other regulatory bodies with responsibilities in this regard will do likewise.  

We will now consider and respond to the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee’s report by 17^th September.