West Cumbria Mining aim to construct the first new deep coal mine in the UK for more than 30 years. The project will have a minimal impact on the environment, whilst also creating jobs and socio-economic benefit for the region. The mine will use remotely operated mining techniques to achieve a steady state production of 3.2 million tonnes per annum.

Whitehaven has a rich mining heritage. In the past 300 years, over 70 pits have been sunk in the Whitehaven and District area. From 1750 to 1772 the town was the second port of England in terms of tonnage of shipping, this was as a result of coal exports (to Ireland).

The talk will be held at Florence Mine, the last haematite mine in Europe and part of the rich mining heritage in West Cumbria. The ore extracted from Florence Mine was once used in the manufacture of pig iron, which was used in the production of steel. The metallurgical coal to be extracted by West Cumbria Mining will also be used in steel production, supporting plants in Port Talbot and Scunthorpe.

Presenters

Jake Woodford and Jacob Armstrong.