Hatfield Colliery

{{Short description|Former coal mine in South Yorkshire, England}}

{{Infobox mine

| name = Hatfield Colliery

| image = Hatfield Mine - geograph.org.uk - 1105479.jpg

| width = 250

| caption = Hatfield Colliery

| pushpin_map = United Kingdom South Yorkshire

| pushpin_label = Hatfield Colliery

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in South Yorkshire

| coordinates = {{coord|53.5934|N|1.0145|W|region:GB|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| place = Stainforth, DN7 5TZ

| subdivision_type = Unitary authority

| state/province = Doncaster, South Yorkshire

| country = England

| owner = Hatfield Colliery Partnership Limited

| official website =

| acquisition year = 2013

| stock_exchange =

| stock_code =

| products = Coal

| financial year =

| amount =

| opening year =1916

| closing year =2015

}}

Hatfield Colliery, also known as Hatfield Main Colliery, was a colliery in the South Yorkshire Coalfield, mining the High Hazel coal seam. The colliery was around {{convert|1|mi|km}} northwest of Hatfield, South Yorkshire, adjacent north of the railway line from Doncaster to Scunthorpe (former South Yorkshire Railway, or Barnsley to Barnetby Line) northeast of Hatfield and Stainforth railway station.

The colliery opened in 1916. The pit was stopped in 2001, and restarted 2007; the mine passed through a number of different owners in the early part of the 21st century, with subsequent operators entering receivership. During the same period the site was proposed as the location for high-technology coal burning power stations schemes which did not proceed.

In 2013 the major Doncaster-Thorne railway line which connected South Yorkshire to the Humber ports and Scunthorpe was blocked by a landslip at the colliery spoil for around 6 months.

From late 2013 the mine was employee owned by the 'Hatfield Colliery Partnership Limited'. Due to lack of demand for coal products the colliery shut down at the end of June 2015.

History

=1910–2001=

In December 1910 the Hatfield Main Colliery Company was formed by Emerson Bainbridge. On 11 September 1916 the first main shaft was completed, followed on 1 April 1917 by the second shaft. The pit exploited coal from the High Hazel coal seam (see Coal Seams of the South Yorkshire Coalfield).

In January 1927 it was bought by the Carlton Main Colliery Company. In January 1947 it became part of the National Coal Board. In 1967 the Hatfield and Thorne collieries were merged, becoming separate again in February 1978. They were merged again on 1 February 1986. On 18 November 1993, a time of many pit closures, it was announced the combined pit would close, which took place on 3 December 1993, when under ownership of British Coal.

On 4 January 1994, a team from the pit's management announced they wanted to re-open the pit, forming Hatfield Coal Company Ltd on 25 January 1994. The first coal was dug on 7 July 1994. In its first year of operation the company made a profit of £2.4 million.{{cite web|title=Hatfield Colliery – Northern Mine Research Society|url=http://www.nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/coal-mining-in-the-british-isles/yorkshire-coalfield/doncaster/hatfield/|website=Northern Mine Research Society|access-date=4 September 2017}}

On 9 August 2001 the pit closed, resulting in the loss of 223 jobs; the site was mothballed with funding from the Department of Trade and Industry.{{cite news| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1506143.stm | title = Closure pit gets cash lifeline| date = 23 August 2001| work = BBC News|access-date=12 August 2014}}

=2001–2015=

File:Hatfield Colliery Headstocks.jpgIn October 2001, Richard Budge, former owner of RJB Mining, took control of the pit, under ownership of the company Coalpower Ltd.{{cite news| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1539529.stm | title = Buyer named for struggling colliery | date = 12 September 2001| work = BBC News|access-date=12 August 2014}}{{cite news| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1586191.stm | title = Production to start at rescued colliery |date = 8 October 2001| work = BBC News|access-date=12 August 2014}}

In 2003 Coalpower published plans for a 450 MW power station at the site.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/3139527.stm | title = Power plant to create '4,500 jobs' | date = 10 August 2003| work = BBC News|access-date=31 July 2010}} In late 2003 Coalpower went into administration, in part due to geological problems at the coal face affecting production.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/3287927.stm | title =Coal firm goes into administration | work = BBC News | date = 3 December 2003|access-date=31 July 2010}} The pit closed in early 2004.{{cite news| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/3443705.stm | title =Coal miners facing final shifts| work =BBC News | date = 30 January 2004|access-date=31 July 2010}}

In 2006 Richard Budge restarted the colliery, and started planning for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) coal burning powerstation at the site, via company Powerfuel. Russian coal company Kuzbassrazrezugol (KRU) acquired a 51% stake in Powerfuel.{{cite news | url = http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/local-stories/a-green-future-for-coal-1-2408229 | title = A green future for coal... | date = 30 November 2006| work = Yorkshire Post|access-date=12 August 2014}} Coal production at the pit was restarted, producing coal in 2007;{{cite news| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/6517143.stm | title = Mining returns to once-doomed pit| work = BBC News | date = 2 April 2007|access-date=12 August 2014}} with production made economically viable through a doubling in the price of coal between 2004 and 2008.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7607205.stm | title = Miners dig deep for bright future | date = 9 September 2008 | work = BBC News|access-date=12 August 2014}} The CCS project was approved to receive £180 million of EU funding in 2009.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/8368688.stm | title = Carbon capture site gets EU cash| date = 19 November 2009 | work = BBC News|access-date=12 August 2014}} The CCS project failed to obtain enough investment to proceed. In 2010 Powerfuel entered administration, in part due to coal production problems.{{cite news| url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/mining/8192474/Hatfield-Colliery-owner-Powerfuel-enters-administration.html | title = Hatfield Colliery owner Powerfuel enters administration| first = Rowena | last = Mason | date = 10 December 2010| work = The Telegraph|access-date=12 August 2014}}

File:Hatfield - Colliery from station footbridge (geograph 4017674).jpgIn 2011 2Co Energy Ltd. (via holding Entero BV, backed by ING Bank) acquired the company, and announced it would continue and rename the CCS project as Don Valley Power Project.{{cite web| url = http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2069140/2co-energy-saves-hatfield-ccs-project-powerfuel-takeover | title = 2Co Energy saves Hatfield CCS project with Powerfuel takeover| first = James| last = Murray | date = 9 May 2011| work = Business green|access-date=12 August 2014}}{{cite news | url = http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/business/400-jobs-saved-as-dutch-company-buys-hatfield-colliery-1-3354421 | title = 400 jobs saved as Dutch company buys Hatfield Colliery| date = 6 May 2011| work = The Star|access-date=12 August 2014}} The colliery was then managed under contract by Hargreaves Services plc. In 2013 70 of approximately 700 employees were made redundant after a return to a three shift pattern due to production issues.{{cite news| url = http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/70-workers-axed-at-doncaster-pit-1-6109228 | date =3 October 2013 | title = 70 workers axed at Doncaster pit| work = The Star|access-date=12 August 2014}}

In December 2013 the employee controlled company Hatfield Colliery Partnership Limited (HCPL) purchased the mine from ING Bank.{{cite news | url = http://www.rothbiz.co.uk/2013/12/news-3809-hargreaves-severing-ties-with.html | title = Hargreaves terminates Hatfield Colliery contract following sale | first = Tom| last = Austen | date = 10 December 2013| work = Roth biz|access-date=12 August 2014}}{{cite web | url= http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/yorkshire/104559- | title= Employee trust acquires Hatfield Colliery | date= 10 December 2013 | work= Insider Media | access-date= 12 August 2014 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://archive.today/20140410184514/http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/yorkshire/104559- | archive-date= 10 April 2014 }} In late 2014 the National Union of Mineworkers provided the pit with a £4 million bridging loan whilst the pit move production to a new pit face.{{cite news| url = http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/4m-num-loan-extends-life-of-hatfield-colliery-1-6843641| title = £4m NUM loan extends life of Hatfield Colliery| first = Lindsay| last = Pantry| date = 16 September 2014| work = Yorkshire Post|access-date=23 September 2014}}{{cite news| url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/sep/16/mining-union-4-million-loan-hatfield-colliery-num| title = Mining union in £4m loan to Hatfield Colliery| first = Rupert | last = Neale| date = 16 September 2014| work = The Guardian|access-date=23 September 2014}}

In June 2015 the colliery ceased production, unable to sell its coal due to increases in the UK carbon tax.{{cite news| url = https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/28622652/hatfield-colliery-closure-speeds-up-uk-exit-from-deep-coal-mining/| title = Hatfield Colliery closure speeds up UK exit from deep coal mining| publisher = Reuters| date = 30 June 2015| access-date = 19 July 2015| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150723164012/https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/28622652/hatfield-colliery-closure-speeds-up-uk-exit-from-deep-coal-mining/| archive-date = 23 July 2015 }}{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-33321874| date = 29 June 2015| title =Hatfield Colliery, near Doncaster, closure announced|access-date=8 July 2015}}

Hatfield landslip

File:Landslip at Hatfield Colliery (1) (geograph 3333836) cropped.jpg

In February 2013, a landslide occurred on a spoil tip used by the colliery. The landslide displaced and blocked the main railway line (Barnsley to Barnetby, or Doncaster to Thorne Line, formerly the South Yorkshire Railway) north-east of Hatfield and Stainforth railway station.{{cite web| url = http://www.bgs.ac.uk/landslides/hatfieldFeb2013.html| title = Hatfield Colliery landslide, South Yorkshire February 2013| publisher = British Geological Survey|access-date=11 December 2014}} The closure affected rail services between Doncaster and Goole (to Hull) and Scunthorpe (to Cleethorpes).{{cite news| url=http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/news/local/many-weeks-to-fix-moving-spoil-heap-1-5411053| title = Many weeks to fix moving spoil heap|date = 14 February 2013|newspaper=South Yorkshire Times|access-date=11 December 2014}}{{cite web| url = http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2013/apr/Stablising-the-ground-at-Hatfield-colliery-above-the-railway-at-Stainforth-continues/| title = Stablising the ground at Hatfield colliery above the railway at Stainforth continues| date = 5 April 2013| work = Network Rail|access-date=12 August 2014}} The route is also a major freight line, with around 20% of UK rail freight using the section, and freight services had to be diverted over lines via Brigg and Lincoln.

The slipped material consisted of excavated mudstone waste enclosing a well of {{convert|200000|m3}} of multi-roll filter slurry, which has a moisture content of 40% and is produced during the process of washing and reclaiming coal fines. The movement of the spoil displaced the four running lines, and a siding, approximately {{convert|5|m}} vertically and {{convert|20|m}} horizontally, over a distance of {{convert|300|m}}.{{cite magazine| url =http://www.therailengineer.com/2013/07/03/upheaval/|title = Upheaval!| first = Graham| last = Bickerdyke| date = 3 July 2013| magazine = The Rail Engineer|access-date=12 August 2014}}

The recovery operation required the movement of around {{convert|1000000|m3}} of material in total and the replacement of around {{convert|500|m}} of quadruple-track railway. The line reopened in early July 2013, with a return to a full timetable on 29 July.{{cite web| url = http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/Rail-line-at-Hatfield-Stainforth-reopens-1dda.aspx| title = Rail line at Hatfield & Stainforth reopens| date = 8 July 2013| work = Network Rail| access-date = 12 August 2014| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140810181025/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/Rail-line-at-Hatfield-Stainforth-reopens-1dda.aspx| archive-date = 10 August 2014 }}{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-23217637| title = Stainforth rail line reopens after landslip| work = BBC News Sheffield & South Yorkshire|access-date=12 August 2014}} Movement of the colliery waste continued for several months after the reopening of the railway.{{cite magazine| magazine = The Rail Engineer| issue = 105| date = July 2013| pages=42–48| title =Upheaval! How grit and determination has driven the railway’s recovery from the Hatfield Colliery landslip, bringing its reopening ahead of expectations|first = Graham| last = Bickerdyke| url=http://issuu.com/railmedia/docs/tre-july-13 |access-date=12 August 2014}}{{cite web| url = http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/Rail-repair-at-Hatfield-Stainforth-1db2.aspx| title = Rail repair at Hatfield & Stainforth| date = 13 June 2013| work = Network Rail| access-date = 12 August 2014| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140812094139/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/Rail-repair-at-Hatfield-Stainforth-1db2.aspx| archive-date = 12 August 2014 }}

The slip was thought to have been caused by rainfall soaking the spoil heap, which was still being added to, allowing the heap to overcome the resistance of the surrounding loose natural soil lying over a sandstone base.

References

=Further information=

{{cite web|url = http://www.minersadvice.co.uk/hatfieldmain.htm | title = Hatfield Main | work = www.minersadvice.co.uk}}

External links

{{cite web| url = http://www.powerfuel.plc.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302104356/http://www.powerfuel.plc.uk/| archive-date = 2 March 2009| title= Powerfuel plc}}
[http://www.hatfieldband.co.uk Hatfield Colliery Band]

Category:Coal mines in Doncaster

Category:Underground mines in England

Category:Landslides in the United Kingdom

Category:Landslides in 2013

Category:Hatfield, South Yorkshire