Banks Mining start work at Bradley surface mine

Operations scheduled to run for two to three years with all on-site activity completed in 2021

BANKS Mining have formally commenced mining operations at their new Bradley surface mine, which sits off the A692 between Leadgate and Dipton, in Co. Durham.

Work on creating a new access road off the A692 is also ongoing, with the team on site working to minimize disruption to road users.

Site operations at Bradley are scheduled to run for between two and three years, with all on-site activity complete in 2021. Around 550,000 tonnes of coal will be extracted from the 71ha site.

Restoration will include the creation of new woodland and a nature reserve area, as well as the return of some of the land to agricultural use.

The related community benefits fund, which will provide funding for support eligible local community improvement projects and initiatives, will go live in the coming months.

Lewis Stokes (pictured), community relations manager at The Banks Group, said: ‘We’re very pleased to have reached this milestone at Bradley, and to have been able to commence mineral extraction from the site.

‘The road improvements are required to form a new access to Bradley surface mine, ensuring that all vehicle movements on to and off the site can be carried out as safely as possible.

‘We have planned the required highways work carefully in conjunction with Durham County Council and Durham Police, and will undertake it as quickly and efficiently as possible so as to minimize disruption to local traffic.’

Banks Mining say around 30 new jobs will be supported at the Bradley site when it is fully operational, along with others in the local supply chain.