Matty makes the grade

Diploma in Quarry Technology allows young assistant site engineer to progress his career with UK Coal

MATTHEW Riley, assistant site engineer at UK Coal’s Huntington Lane surface mine, has secured an industry qualification as the company continues to position itself as the UK’s leading surface miner.

Matthew, 22, from Barnsley, recently completed his two-year diploma in Quarry Technology at the University of Derby. The course is the first university-level academic diploma for the quarrying industry and has been developed in conjunction with the Institute of Quarrying and industry experts to ensure it reflects latest techniques and best practice.

Matty started with UK Coal as a labourer on the Sharlston surface mine in Wakefield in 2007. After a spell at Cutacre surface mine, he worked his way up to become assistant site engineer at Huntington Lane and hopes that, with his new qualification, he can quickly move on to become site engineer.

His studies at Derby included blasting and quarrying technology, mechanical and electrical engineering, health and safety and business management; and he achieved distinction in most modules.

Speaking at Huntington Lane surface mine, where the last coal was recently extracted, he said: ‘I needed to undertake these qualifications to become a site engineer and am grateful to the company for supporting me through my studies.

‘I also couldn’t have done it without the support of my colleagues on site, particularly site manager Simon Wood who helped me with the engineering and maths sides.’

The diploma is aimed at professionals in the mineral extractives industry and allows students to progress their careers towards quarry management. Matty was one of the youngest on his course, with several other students having worked in the industry for many years.

Having now qualified, Matty is able to join the Institute of Quarrying, which recently recruited 62 new members from UK Coal Surface Mines’ workforce.