UK Coal Imports to Increase with Domestic Mine Closures
More than 1,000 employees will lose their jobs as two large coal producers in the UK complete mining operations.
The United Kingdom will become more dependent of foreign coal imports after the two large coal production companies announced yesterday that mining operations will cease.
The mine closures by UK Coal and Scottish Coal, which will result in the loss of more than 1,000 jobs (about a sixth of the workforce), mean that the country will now turn to the U.S., Russia, and Columbia for coal supplies. British coal traders may face a rise in imports by nearly 70 percent.
However, it is estimated that by 2016, the demand for coal will decrease by half as environmental regulations are on the rise.
UK Coal produces about 5 percent of the electricity used in the country.