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The owners of the UK’s largest opencast mine are facing enforcement action by the industry regulator after claims it operated outside the agreed boundary of its licence.

A recent Coal Authority inspection of the Ffos y Fran site, which is just outside of Caerphilly County Borough, found that Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd, is coaling outside of its licence boundary.

It said the operator must now cease all extraction of coal outside of the licensed area and that it could get a court injection if mining continued.

Planning permission for mining ran out in September last year but residents and environmental campaigners claim mining has continued despite that.

An application to extend permission for mining at the site was rejected by Merthyr Council’s planning committee in April. The council issued an enforcement notice on the company in June ordering it to stop mining there, but campaigners say it has continued and called on Welsh Government to step in.

An appeal against the enforcement notice has been lodged by the company.

The Coal Authority said: “Local authorities are the primary authority for the regulation of surface mines, through planning permission and enforcement.

“Surface mine operators also require a coal mining licence from the Coal Authority and other relevant approvals from bodies such as Natural Resources Wales and the Health and Safety Executive.

“Ffos y Fran surface mine currently has a coal mining licence until February 2097. A recent inspection of the Ffos y Fran site by the Coal Authority has highlighted that the operator is coaling outside of their licence boundary.

“We have contacted the operator and begun enforcement action to end coaling in this wider area in line with our legislative powers. Further information can be found on our enforcement webpage.

“We will continue to provide advice and expertise to Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Welsh Government and other partners as needed.”

Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd confirmed an appeal had been lodged with Welsh ministers against the enforcement notice from the council, but added that it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Welsh Government said it is unable to comment at this stage, as to do so may jeopardise any future decision Welsh ministers may have to make on the matter.