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Extinction Rebellion has blockaded the entrance to Ffos y Fran mine near Merthyr Tydfil – with plans to stay for at least a week. 

The “do-it-together” environmental movement used a pink boat to try to shut down operations at the site. 

The boat – which has been a feature of many protests – was secretly manoeuvred into position at 9.30am on July 5. 

There are a number of protesters present and a “full crew” of XR Cymru/Wales and XR UK protesters on board. 

One of those activists is Marcus Bailie, 68, from Caerphilly. 

Marcus, who is one of two people locked on the boat, said: “We have today done what the Welsh Government, the UK Government and the local council [Merthyr Tydfil council] have failed to do – shut down the operations of the UK’s largest coal mine which has been operating without a licence since September last year. 

“We aim to stop operations until at least the weekend and we are calling for as many people as possible to come down to support us and make this happen. It would be crazy if the mine owner or the government instructed the police to move against us just so the mine owners can continue what is an illegal operation.”

What is happening at Ffos y Fran?

In April this year, an application to extend the mine’s permission to operate was denied by Merthyr Tydfil Council.

However, despite lacking an active license, Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd, the owner of the mine, has persisted in operating.

In May of this year, it was reported that the operators of the opencast coal mine were told by Merthyr Tydfil Council to stop mining.

Following legal advice, the local authority then issued an enforcement notice giving the owners of the Ffos y Fran coal mine 28 days to stop extracting coal.

This was set to come into effect on June 27, 2023 but the owners appealed the decision to the Welsh Government – further complicating and delaying matters.

What’s happening now?

According to XR, police have now attended the site in an attempt to move on protesters – with four vans and cars arriving at 10am this morning, July 6. 

Marcus Bailie, who is locked onto the boat, said: “We know there’s no room for coal in this climate emergency. The authorities should have issued an immediate stop notice back in October. Ordinary people have to step in when the authorities are missing in action.

“The authority with which the police are trying to move us is highly questionable from a legal perspective and completely insane in the middle of a climate emergency. It’s time the government just stopped all coal.”

This is the first action using ‘lock-ons’ since the Public Order Act (2023) came into effect. 

Under this new law, which has been in force since May, locking on is now an offence which can result in 51 weeks in prison.