Wales establishes new authority for long-term coal tip safety following landmark legislation
Wales establishes new authority for long-term coal tip safety following landmark legislation
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The Welsh Government has sealed into law a landmark Bill aimed at ensuring the long-term safety of disused mines and quarry tips across Wales, backed by more than £220 million of joint UK and Welsh investment.
First Minister Eluned Morgan formally sealed the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill at a ceremony on Thursday (September 11) at Blaenavon’s Big Pit. The legislation, passed by the Senedd in July 2025, introduces a modernised legal framework for the management of thousands of disused mining sites across the country.
The move follows significant financial commitments from both Cardiff and Westminster. The UK Government has pledged a record £118 million over three years, while the Welsh Government has invested more than £100 million. Combined, the funding brings total coal tip safety investment to over £220 million to date.
Speaking at the sealing ceremony, First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “We’re spending millions of pounds on coal tip safety to support our communities living in the shadows of our mining past. We’ve changed the law, and we are going even further by setting up a new organisation to carry on this important safety work for generations to come.
“This investment brings economic growth and employment opportunities to some of the most deprived areas of Wales, bringing land back into use and encouraging investment in new technologies. I look forward to working with the UK Government to maintain momentum in this important area and continue to deliver prosperity for the people of Wales.”
The legislation establishes a new statutory body, the Disused Tips Authority for Wales, which will take on responsibility for assessing, registering, monitoring and managing disused tips. The Authority is due to be launched in April 2027 and will build on the work currently undertaken by the Mining Remediation Authority.
The new organisation will act as a dedicated expert body, providing a single point of oversight for communities living in proximity to coal tips. Its remit will be enshrined in law, formalising existing monitoring programmes and setting out a long-term commitment to public safety.
Deputy First Minister and Climate Change lead, Huw Irranca-Davies, said the Bill was a direct response to both Wales’ industrial legacy and the growing risks associated with climate change.
He said: “Our changing climate, industrial past and landscape mean we must act to keep Welsh communities safe from disused coal tips. We are already monitoring and inspecting tips, sharing information, and working with partners to protect communities.
“The recent £118m additional funding for coal tips safety from the UK Government really recognises the shared responsibility to address the legacy of coal mining in Wales, building on the work we in the Welsh Government are doing. Combining Welsh and UK Government resources effectively, helps us ensure communities are protected from this pre-devolution legacy.”
Until the Authority is established, the Welsh Government’s coal tip safety programme will continue its work alongside local authorities, Natural Resources Wales and the Mining Remediation Authority. This includes regular inspections, maintenance, and community safety measures.
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