Prospect of 180 new jobs at Margam, welcomed by Unite
6th November 2009
Unite, the UK’s largest union, is urging the Welsh Assembly
government (WAG) to support Celtic Energy Ltd’s planning
application for an extension to operations at its Margam opencast
coal mine near Bridgend.
The union says the Welsh Assembly's support would help unlock
much needed employment opportunities for the region.
Formal approval from the WAG for Celtic Energy to extend
operations at the Margam site for an additional five and a half
years would see about 180 direct and indirect jobs created, giving
a much-needed shot in the arm to the Welsh economy which has been
hit badly by the current global recession.
Gareth Jones, Unite regional industrial organiser, said: “The
public inquiry for Margam took place back in February. Given the
current economic downturn we would have expected an announcement
regarding this important decision long before now.
"There is a lot at stake here; not only is there the opportunity
for much needed job creation that will otherwise be lost, but
equally as important, the site is key to the future of Celtic
Energy’s business - which currently employs about 300 people
in South Wales, often in areas where there are no alternative
employment prospects.
“The latest official statistics reveal the Welsh unemployment
rate now stands at 9.1 per cent - one of the highest in the UK. We
must therefore do everything we can to create opportunities that
enable people to get back into work and keeps the Welsh industrial
sector alive.”
There is an estimated 1.7 million tonnes of coal at Margam,
which is suited to a range of high-end usage, such as in the steel
making process and as an industrial fuel source. Margam’s location
also makes it an ideal provider of coal for Corus’ steel works and
RWE npower’s Aberthaw power station.
Gareth Jones added: “The benefits of having a local supply of
coal are indisputable. After all, coal has been recognised as an
important part of the UK’s energy mix and essential for the
continued secure supply of electricity to Wales.
“When you also examine how it can power important local
industries and the benefits this creates for our local economy, it
becomes clear that employment opportunities would not be the only
thing we stand to gain by the Margam site being re-opened.”
Celtic Energy submitted a planning application to extend
operations at Margam for a further five and a half years in May
2007. The application was then refused by Bridgend and Neath Port
Talbot county council's planning authorities in January 2008 which
saw work stop in August 2008. Celtic Energy’s subsequent appeal of
this decision resulted in the application becoming the subject of a
formal planning inquiry that took place in February 2009.
ENDS
For further information please contact Gareth Jones on 07970
785468 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite Press Office on 020 7420
8914 or 07980 224761.
