Welsh pits face crisis over lack of miners

Mines in south Wales are facing an improbable difficulty: a shortage of miners.

The owners of the private-sector Blaentillery Colliery in Blaenau Gwent have spent six months seeking experienced miners to be paid £400 a week.

"We can't seem to get anyone who's willing to get their hands dirty," said Gwilym Llewellyn, a manager. "All the miners are getting old now and it's hard to get them to come back into the industry."

Its owners want to expand operations but its dozen or so miners are not enough to meet aspirations. Bigger Welsh mines are facing the same problem. Tyrone O'Sullivan, chairman of the Tower Colliery, Hirwaun, said finding skilled miners was "almost impossible. The small mines work by hand and it's very physical. Once you have been softened on the outside it's hard work."

Dave Parry, a research officer, said: "There's a fear among ex-National Coal Board miners about working in private mines. There are question marks in the back of their minds about the safety record and the work involved. In a lot of these mines there's not a lot of investment in terms of machinery. After working big pits, these men won't want to feel they're going back with a pick and shovel."

The Welsh Assembly is organising training courses to tackle the shortage.