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Last checked at 
30 Nov 2010 11:02
30 November, 2010
UK COAL PLC
Kellingley Colliery
UK COAL reports an incident which has halted production at its Kellingley deep mine. On current assessments this would reduce production from Kellingley by between 100,000 and 200,000 tonnes for 2010.
On the late afternoon of Tuesday 23 November, men working underground detected combustion in the previously mined waste area behind the current face at Kellingley. Air monitoring suggested a small heat source in the waste, periodically igniting methane escaping from the waste or surrounding strata.
UK COAL immediately withdrew all 218 men from the mine in accordance with normal safety procedures. No injuries were sustained.
UK COAL promptly installed equipment to generate and pump nitrogen into the waste, to suffocate the combustion. Yesterday's readings indicated that this is having the desired effect, with levels of methane and carbon monoxide in the relevant part of the mine dropping to their lowest level since the incident.
Last night a skilled team was able safely to walk the length of the face. They were not able to identify the exact location of the combustion and have concluded that further nitrogen pumping will be required. They were able to ascertain that there was no deterioration of the face, the equipment or the immediate roof strata.
Production will resume once it is safe to do so. On the basis of last night's inspection, UK COAL anticipates restoring safe operation by mid-December. In a departure from established practice, UK COAL is in cooperative discussions with its unions to maintain continuous production through the Christmas period to help mitigate the impact of lost production.
Enquiries:
Analysts and investors:
David Brocksom, Group Finance Director Tel: 01302 755 013
Media:
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Anthony Carlisle Tel: 020 7638 9571. Mobile: 07973 611 888
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