The company behind plans to mine six million tonnes of coal at an open cast site near Rhymney has announced a series of public exhibitions.
Miller Argent has submitted a planning application for the surface mine and has said between 144 and 239 jobs could be created at Nant Llesg with £12.9 million invested annually.
The company, which already operates the Ffos-y-fran surface mine neighbouring the site, has said it has undertaken two years of environmental studies and consultation with local communities and stakeholders. Opponents to the scheme have said residents living in Rhymney could face years of dust, noise and light pollution and the loss of habitat for migrating birds.
The proposed site is located on 478 hectares of land to the west of Rhymney, north of Fochriw and south of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road.
The firm is holding three public exhibitions on Friday November 29 between 2pm and 7pm, on Saturday November 30 between 10am and 2pm and on Monday December 2 between 2pm and 7pm.
The exhibitions will be held at Miller Argent’s Education Centre, Cwmbargoed Disposal Point, Fochriw Road, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales CF48 4AE. The company has said parking is available and a local shuttle bus service can also be provided.
Neil Brown, Managing Director of Miller Argent, said: “We want to ensure local residents have all the facts on the scheme and we would encourage people to come along to the exhibition and ask any questions they may have.
“We are aware this is a complex project and are concerned that some misinformation has begun to circulate causing confusion locally. We therefore hope people will take this opportunity to make sure they are in a position to make fully informed views on this project.
“In addition, we will also have members of staff present from our training team who will be happy to talk to any local residents who may be interested in a future career with Miller Argent.
“We have a proven track record of recruiting locally with more than 80 per cent of our current workforce living within 10 miles of the site, and if the Nant Llesg scheme gets the go ahead, we will be working with local employment and training agencies to ensure we can recruit local people into the new jobs.”
The exhibitions are in addition to the public displays being held by Caerphilly County Borough Council this week and next.
Campaigners against the development has said
Cosmetics firm Richards & Appleby has said it would move manufacturing if the mine came into use. The company neighbours the site and employs 140 people. It supplies products to Harrods and John Lewis.
Anyone interested in finding out more about Miller Argent’s exhibitions or the scheme can call 0800 169 6507, email ma.enquiries@millerargent.co.uk or visit www.nantllesg.co.uk.
If they are going to recruit new what are they going to do with the existing staff. Sack them?
"Undertaken two years of environmental studies" Provide us the evidence.
1)How are they tackling the air pollution from the mine
The major air pollutants in the opencast coalmining areas are dust and fine coal particles,oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur. We have environmental degradation in and around these areas.