Opencast Mining
Felicity Evans looks at the future of the surface mine industry in Wales.
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South Wales is home to the largest opencast mine in the United Kingdom - at Ffos y Fran to the east of Merthyr Tydfil.听
The bulk of the operation's output goes either to the coal-fired power station at Aberthaw near Barry or to Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant.听
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Operator Miller Argent says demand is high - so high it wants to open another opencast mine at nearby Nant Llesg at the top of the neighbouring Rhymney Valley.
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That's a prospect viewed with dismay by many local residents who fear that dust, noise and vibration from the proposed mine could blight the nearby communities of Rhymney, Pontlottyn and Fochriw.听
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Miller Argent says noise and dust won't be a problem for residents as the company already goes above and beyond its legal obligations to minimise those issues at Ffos y Fran and they'll do the same at Nant Llesg.
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But campaigners against the plans remain to be convinced.
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In this programme, Felicity Evans hears from both sides of the argument.
Broadcasts
- Sun 6 Jul 2014 13:30成人快手 Radio Wales
- Mon 7 Jul 2014 18:30成人快手 Radio Wales
- Tue 8 Jul 2014 05:30成人快手 Radio Wales
Podcast
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Eye on Wales
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