A mining company in Carmarthenshire has put forward new plans to extract coal from the area. Bryn Bach Coal aims to remove 85,000 tonnes of anthracite from a proposed 10-hectare extension at its Glan Lash open-cast site near Llandybie. The company clarified that under six hectares would be excavated. The extracted “premium quality” anthracite is intended for various industrial uses such as water purification, brake pad manufacturing, and brick-making but not for burning. The extraction process, involving six “box cuts,” is expected to take almost five-and-a-half years with subsequent backfilling and restoration of the site for up to a decade.
According to a design and access statement submitted to Carmarthenshire Council, the project, along with planned mitigation at the adjacent Tirydail tip restoration site, would lead to an overall increase in biodiversity compared to the current state. Notably, last year, the council’s planning committee rejected a similar application by Bryn Bach Coal to extract coal from the proposed extension. The new bid aims to address previous reasons for refusal, including avoiding extraction from crucial habitats like the marsh fritillary butterfly area.
The company stated that following restoration, there would be a significant increase in biodiversity, particularly in woodland and scrub habitat. A consultation on the fresh plans was conducted during the summer, with Bryn Bach Coal commissioning specialist reports to address concerns raised by local residents. So far, only a few objections have been lodged with the council on pollution and habitat grounds.
The company’s response to the consultation emphasized that the reports concluded there would be no adverse impact on neighbouring properties in relation to visual impact, flooding, subsidence, dust, and noise pollution. Despite initial loss of trees and hedgerows, Bryn Bach Coal assured that there would be a substantial increase in greenery once the restoration scheme was completed. The company aims to implement measures to preserve biodiversity while carrying out its coal extraction operations in Carmarthenshire.