Opencast mine buffer zone proposal welcomed

Friends of the Earth Cymru has welcomed the announcement on the Coal Mineral Technical Advice Note (MTAN 2) by the Welsh Assembly Government today, which proposes a policy of a 500 metre buffer zone between opencast mines and residential properties.

But the environmental group is angry that the policy has not been produced in time to protect communities in Merthyr from the effects of the Ffos-y-Fran opencast scheme.

Friends of the Earth Cymru Director, Gordon James, said:

"We're pleased that the Assembly Government is proposing a buffer zone of 500 metres between any opencast workings and the nearest properties. This distance is needed to help protect local people from the harmful noise, dust and pollution associated with opencast mining.

"But this policy was first proposed ten years ago, and it is taking far too long to see the light of day. There is a strong suspicion that it has been delayed in order to allow the massive Ffos-y-Fran opencast site at Merthyr to go-ahead, even though it's just 35 metres from the nearest homes.

"Announcing this so soon after the Ffos-y-Fran site has begun work adds insult to the injury already suffered by the local people. By recognising that people need to be protected from the damaging effects of opencast mining, it reinforces the call that the Ffos-y-Fran planning application should be revoked."