Knottingley, North Yorkshire

Background

Kellingley Colliery, or "The Big K" as it has been referred to by miners for many years, is situated in North Yorkshire. The operation of sinking the shafts was begun 2 km East of Knottingley in 1958. Seven years later, in 1965, production commenced and Kellingley has been a major coal producer since then.

RJB Mining took over control of the colliery January 1995 and has continued to work the Beeston and Silkstone seams, which were in full production at the time. There are also areas of the Warren House seam available for extraction.

To the North and East, the Beeston and Silkstone seams were exhausted by work from the former Fryston Colliery and by prior working from Kellingley.

At 650 m deep, the Silkstone seam is estimated to have reserves and resources of 21 million tonnes. The Beeston seam, laying 50 m deeper is estimated to have similar reserves and resources. The Warren House seam lies at a depth of 400 m and is estimated to have reserves and resources of 18 million tonnes.

A number of faults crossing the mine from south-west to north-east have forced the mine to be worked in several blocks, at three different levels. However, it is estimated that Kellingley has the potential to continue production well beyond 2020, particularly if access is made into the Warren House seam. There are various options for this access, including possible new drifts, drivages from Prince of Wales Colliery or even a new shaft inset.