Coal news and updates

Coal: Aberpergwm colliery gets OK to mine 40 million tonnes

A Green Party MP has said it is "shameful" that a colliery in south Wales has been given permission to mine a further 40 million tonnes of coal.

Caroline Lucas said fossil fuels must be left in the ground.

The UK government, which oversees the Coal Authority which is responsible for licensing mines, said it had greatly reduced the country's reliance on coal.

Energybuild said most of its coal was not burned for energy, but used in processes including water purification.

Welsh ministers wanted the UK government to cancel the licence for Aberpergwm mine, near Glynneath in Neath Port Talbot.

But it said on Wednesday evening it was committed to working with the company on business models that were sustainable.