Photograph of Rainton Meadows, County Durham - a fully restored surface mining site
The coal industry's efforts to conserve or improve the environment are worthy of praise.
Like every other major activity of man, coal mining and burning have an effect on our surroundings and the British coal mining industry's efforts have been directed for many years at keeping the impact of its activities - both deep mining and surface mining - to a minimum, and enabling coal to be clean, efficient and safe to use. The industry has vast experience in minimising the effect of its operations to be a 'good neighbour' to the surrounding community and in restoring sites to productive use when mining ends. This includes places that were derelict eyesores before surface mining removed coal near the surface and the area was restored to high standards - for uses including farming, forestry, country parks, nature reserves, sports grounds, golf courses, industry and housing.
UK COAL has close links with environmental experts outside the industry and has sponsored environmental research projects.