§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to assess the risks of pollution from waste flowing from old mine works. [52375]
§ Mr. MeacherContaminated minewaters from abandoned coal mines are dealt with by the Coal Authority under a prioritised programme agreed with the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. The Authority spent £3 million in 1997–98 in tackling water pollution from abandoned coal mines, and this is anticipated to rise to £3.9 million in 1998–99. The Authority has undertaken detailed feasibility studies on 21 of the most environmentally significant overflows from abandoned mines, and works are in place or nearing completion at a number of these sites.
In addition, the Agency is continuing to operate the treatment plant at the Wheal Jane tin mine in Cornwall, having spent £9.5 million since 1990 on research and treatment. The Agency is also continuing to monitor the situation at the recently abandoned South Crofty tin mine in Cornwall, carrying out further work to predict the timing of any outbreak, the likely quality of the minewater discharge and the appropriate treatment options. Similar monitoring is being undertaken by the Agency at the recently abandoned Whittle coal mine in Northumberland.