A tale of two sides

摘要

Ten years ago, an article regarding the possibility of new coal mines or extensions to current mines would have been viewed with whimsical surprise. Even today, with the recent closure of Haworth colliery, there are still a number of doubts as to whether coal mining can be a viable industry in the UK. These doubts are not stopping one of the biggest names in the sector championing a new age for coal mining in this country. The man nicknamed 'King Coal', Richard Budge, announced this year the reopening of Hatfield colliery in 2007 with a proposed 27 million t of coal being mined over a 16 year period.