BRITAIN’S biggest mining firm is still pursuing three new opencast sites despite uncertainty over its future.

UK Coal is looking to extract coal from land between Stanley and Marley Hill, the Bradley site near Leadgate and a site at Hoodsclose, just over the county border in Northumberland.

There have been reports that the company may have cash-flow problems after a big fire closed its largest deep mine, Daw Hill in Warwickshire, three months ago. The blaze put 650 people out of work and raised questions about the company pension fund.

It has been suggested that the company, which also runs two other deep mines and six surface mines, may have to be re-nationalised.

Despite that, the firm says it is “business as usual” and that it is still working on its opencast plans.

The three proposals in and around North-West Durham, which are at different stages in the planning process, have attracted much opposition from residents concerned about the impact of mining on their communities.

The Bradley application is the subject of a High Court appeal after its was turned down by Durham County Council and a planning inspector. The other two schemes have yet to go before councillors.

A UK Coal spokeswoman said: “Since the major fire, and subsequent closure of Daw Mill Colliery in Warwickshire, a number of discussions have been underway to find a way forward for the rest of the business.

“The remaining deep mines, Kellingley in Yorkshire, Thoresby in Nottinghamshire and six surface mines, remain viable and discussions continue with a wide range of interested parties.

“It is business as usual for our surface mines, including the six planning applications still at various stages of determination. This includes the applications for Hoodsclose in Northumberland, Marley Hill in Gateshead and the outstanding appeal to the High Court for Bradley in County Durham.”

Watts Stelling, Durham County councillor for Leadgate and Medomsley, who is against the schemes, said he was “very disappointed’’ by UK Coal’s stance.

He added: “They have been told by the residents of all three areas that they don’t want them here. What part of that don’t they understand?”