The former UK Coal Mining company has been sentenced for safety failings that led to an underground pit explosion and the evacuation of more than 200 miners from Kellingley Colliery in North Yorkshire.

The methane gas explosion at Yorkshire's last remaining deep mine happened during the evening shift on 23rd November 2010. The incident was investigated by the Mines Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which brought the prosecution at Leeds Crown Court.

The court was told that an explosive mixture of flammable gases had accumulated close to the area where miners were working because a safety curtain, designed to keep gases safely behind the coal face, was inadequately maintained.

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HSE found the curtain was damaged with one section cut and another removed, rendering it ineffective and allowing the explosive methane mixture to gradually move closer to the working area and to potential ignition sources. It was likely ignited initially by sandstone falling on to sandstone.

Some 218 miners were safely evacuated from Kellingley's 501's District. Dozens of further minor explosions took place just behind the coal face as accumulated gas ignited – probably from a residual hanging flame – and then burnt off. It was nearly three weeks before production was able to resume.

The former UK Coal Mining Ltd of Harworth Park, Blyth Road, Harworth, Nottinghamshire, was fined £50,000 after pleading guilty to a single breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

It was agreed that although prosecution costs were properly incurred they would not be awarded so as not to jeopardise any potential payments to the Miners' Pensioners' Coal Allowance, a main creditor with limited financial assets.

(CD/MH)