Report - Ffos-y-fran Land Reclamation Scheme (Opencast Coal Mine), Merthyr Tydfil - February 2025

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Ffos-y-fran Land Reclamation Scheme (Opencast Coal Mine), Merthyr Tydfil - February 2025​

Aerial shot of Ffos-y-fran whilst in operation (BBC)
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A Brief History​

The Ffos-y-fran Land Reclamation scheme was a large opencast coal mine sitting just outside the town of Merthyr Tydfil. The last opencast coal mine in the UK, it ceased operation in November 2023 following the expiry of the license to extract coal from the site. The working of this mine was the final part of the wider East Merthyr Reclamation Scheme, an initiative to pull the area out of the widespread dereliction that it suffered following the shutdown of the deep-cast coal mining industry. The mine was expected to extract 10 million tonnes of coal over its 15 year lifespan, with part of the revenue being used to redevelop the former industrial workings of East Merthyr to residential and recreational properties.

The Explore​

On an uncharacteristically warm, sunny February afternoon, our small crew assembled in a layby overlooking the mine workings. Arriving hungry, and with rumour that there might still be some active security, we settled in for a spot of lunch, keeping a steady eye on the most populated-looking portion of the site. Satisfied with our meal, and not having seen any signs of life, we quickly made for the rather ineffective fence that guarded access to the site. Whilst our rather unsubtle means of access did elicit a shout from a passing motorist, we chose to press on, ascending the grassy slope into the main area of the pit.

Our roadside charcuterie did earn us some strange looks from passing drivers.
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Upon entering the site proper, we were greeted by what at first glance appeared to be a rather new looking security cabin with the window propped open. Not wanting to risk being collared before even a slight mooch around, the decision was made to head Westward, and we began to ascend the black mound of spoil to attain a vantage point giving us a good view of all the workings. The landscape that unfolded before us was in equal measure bleak yet somehow strangely alluring; a deep, industrial cut in what is otherwise today a rather unspoiled pastoral landscape.

Walking toward the spoil heap on the western side of the pit.

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Looking from the western slopes of the pit toward Dowlais

Having taken in the site from one of its highest points, we decided that the next obvious goal was to walk down the loose spoil and venture into the lowest reaches of the pit. With a descent technique perhaps more akin to skiing than walking, we eventually made our way down to the shores of the lake which now covered the pit floor, stopping only briefly on the way to admire the odd geological properties of some cool rocks we found amongst the tip. Once done with the lake, we continued our circumnavigation of the pit by attaining the "ridge" of sorts than runs along the eastern boundary, and followed this back round to the main attraction nearer to the entrance.

The lake on the pit floor.
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The southern side of the site seems split into two sections, separated by a large ditch / stream for at least part of the way. We limited our exploring to the coal processing areas and the laid up vehicles in the firmly disused parts of the site, choosing to bypass the illuminated warehouses closer to the road entrance. One of the gantries in the coal processing area featured what we could only presume to be a rather apocalyptic birds nest, formed out of scraps of wiring and other detritus in the middle of the metal floor (unfortunately not pictured). Amongst the ranks of the more battered vehicles stood a rather fresh Caterpillar D11T, which looked to have been used fairly recently before being parked up.

Looking toward the potentially active section of the site, which seemed to comprise of vehicle storage and an open-air Land Rover workshop

Conveyor system used to move coal. The windowed container at the top features a reasonably-stocked kitchen (if you like cup soup) with power and running water.

Looking up at the coal processing plant. I can only assume that this is some sort of washing setup?

Looking down from the top of the conveyor belt system.

The vehicles - a CAT D9, D11T and some variant on an articulated truck in view.

The CAT D11T - noticeably newer and in far better condition than the other vehicles on site.

What mine would be complete without a big truck?
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To round off our day, we decided to pop our head into the small hut that we had originally been trying to stay out of sight of, thinking that even if it was inhabited by security we would be on our way out regardless. Alas, we found it derelict and empty, with the mould and damp within a clear sign of how long it had been since the hut was last used.

 

[Olkka]

Real

 

[Lenston]

Nice, worth checking the other bit if you get a chance.