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Miners to decide pit closure date Miners vote on deep pit's future
(about 6 hours later)
A closure date for Wales' last deep mine, Tower Colliery, is to be agreed by the miners who own the pit. The future development of Tower Colliery, Wales' last deep mine due for closure, has been put to a ballot by the miners who own the pit.
A shareholders meeting has been arranged to decide when to call an end to work at the Cynon Valley mine. A shareholders' meeting was held to decide when to call an end to work at the Cynon Valley mine and select a firm to redevelop the site.
The mine closed in 1994 but reopened year later after a 240 miners invested their redundancy money in the first and only buy-out by mine workers. The pit first closed in 1994 but reopened a year later when 240 miners invested their redundancy money.
Shareholders are to decide on whether to shut the mine on 25 January or stay open until 8 February. It is thought it will close for the last time on 25 January.
The future of the 480-acre site is also expected to be finalised. Around 150 shareholders from Tower Colliery met on Saturday morning to discuss what will happen to the site once the mine closes.
Tower has been hailed for its success - it has employed 375 miners since it was resurrected by its owner-miners 13 years ago. A secret ballot was held to select a company to help redevelop the 480-acre site but the results of the vote will not be made public until next week.
'Pivotal' Tower has been hailed for its success - it has employed 375 miners since it reopened 13 years ago.
The mine did close but after Vale of Clwyd MP Ann Clwyd protested for 27 hours underground it reopened under its new management and was in profit after 10 within months. Drift mine
First Minister Rhodri Morgan cited the buy-out as a pivotal moment in Wales' national self-confidence which led to the vote for devolution in 1999. First Minister Rhodri Morgan cited the buy-out by the miners as a pivotal moment in Wales' national self-confidence which led to the vote for devolution in 1999.
However its depleted coal reserves - nearly seven million tonnes have been mined over the last 13 years - has meant it is expected to close this month or next, depending on whether a newly-discovered coal seam can be worked out. However, Tower's depleted coal reserves has meant it is expected to close this month, or early February, depending on whether a newly-discovered coal seam can be worked out.
Mine leaders have been in talks to set up a joint venture with Aberpergwm drift mine in the Neath Valley and it is hoped around 100 jobs could be saved if the venture goes ahead.Mine leaders have been in talks to set up a joint venture with Aberpergwm drift mine in the Neath Valley and it is hoped around 100 jobs could be saved if the venture goes ahead.
'End of an era' To mark the colliery's impending closure, managing director Tyrone O'Sullivan and Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd have agreed to participate in a talk at Ramoth chapel in Hirwaun on Sunday evening.
To mark the colliery's impending closure, managing director Tyrone O'Sullivan and Ann Clwyd have agreed to participate in a talk at Ramoth chapel in Hirwaun on Sunday evening.
The 1800 GMT event will look at the pit's role in the community as well as give a dozen past and present miners the opportunity to share their experiences.The 1800 GMT event will look at the pit's role in the community as well as give a dozen past and present miners the opportunity to share their experiences.
'Future without mining'
Chapel elder Ivan Davies said: "It's the end of a era. The very reason these valleys were established as large communities is totally as a result of mining.Chapel elder Ivan Davies said: "It's the end of a era. The very reason these valleys were established as large communities is totally as a result of mining.
"These important events just seem to slip away and they are forgotten."These important events just seem to slip away and they are forgotten.
"My idea is to look at the significance of this event, to pay our tribute to what's gone on the past and look forward to the future without mining.""My idea is to look at the significance of this event, to pay our tribute to what's gone on the past and look forward to the future without mining."