OT: Kellingley pit shuts and causes leftist dilemma

The big story on our local TV news is the closure of Kellingley Colliery. It's been a story for days now. The journos like this issue because (a) they can blame the Tories, somehow, and (b) it's a tale of the heroic working class facing adversity. But now and then they interview a miner who to their horror expresses disgust at the environmentalist nonsense that has resulted in the closure. The journo then hastily concludes the interview and moves on. It's hilarious.

We've also been treated to a lot of nonsense about the Orgreave riots, including many words from King Arthur the Gobshite.

Bill

Reply to
Bill Wright
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I don't think it's due to the environmental BS since the power station down the road is going to continue to run on cheaper imported coal. Seems the miners in this instance are just simple victims of globalisation.

Reply to
Cursitor Doom

The Beeb had it from a miner this morning that the decline of the coal industry started in 1984. But we all know better than that.

And I don't know what you mean by "victims" of globalisation. Unless you think that people who used to make a living off horses (like blacksmiths, horse-whip makers, etc) are victims too.

Reply to
Tim Streater

Only for a few months

that too

Reply to
Andy Burns

Eh ?

People who made a living off horses weren't put out of business as a result of imports of cheap horses, whips, or horseshoes. They were overtaken by technology in the form of the internal combustion engine.

"Victims" of globalisation are rendered uncompetetive as a result of cheaper imports of the same thing resulting from foreign investment in technology, (often as a result of having started later) cheaper labour, and the advent of bulk carriers.

michael adams

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Reply to
michael adams

To be fair to the coal company

the first of you examples does to apply here

tim

Reply to
tim.....

In English please ?

michael adams

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Reply to
michael adams

IIRC, Kellingley was supplying Drax, not Ferrybridge (it used to, but that was years back). The report I saw was that the contract was for £x/tonne, but the world price was now well under £x, and the contract expires about now.

Given the recent announcement that the government wants to close all coal fired power stations in the 10 years, then its days would have been numbered anyway, unless they could find an export market.

Sympathy for those involved, but the writing has been on the wall for some time now.

Adrian

Reply to
Adrian

It wasn't long ago that the announcement was made that all coal-fired power stations would be closed once sufficient new gas-powered once come on stream.

So there is some environmental BS behind it, and my guess is that the powers that be wanted to avoid a simultaneous outcry from miners and power station workers.

By running the local power station on imported coal for a while longer, they can ask for brownie points for cutting imports, at the appropriate time.

Jim

Reply to
Indy Jess John

The coal from Kellingley is not more expensive than that from e.g Colombia (apparently) because the Colombians invested in HiTech modern methodology and the Brits did not. - Bcause the Brits did (so invest) (and at a guess the Colombians didn't,relying simply on lower wages to cut costs)

tim

Reply to
tim.....

Ah right. I wasn't being specific just listing possible reasons why imported coal might be cheaper. Basic geology which determines extraction costs probably make a big difference as well.

michael adams

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Reply to
michael adams

Yes, both were rendered uncompetitive. The details are not important - unless you believe in import tariffs, etc, or in supporting industries that are past their sell-by date.

Reply to
Tim Streater

So to use your own example you're claiming that had the British Government of the time supported horse breeders, whip makers, and blacksmiths to a greater extent, while banning motor manufacture, motor cars would have never have taken off in this country.

I see.

michael adams

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Reply to
michael adams

Does Colombia have deep mines? I thought these days all the "global" coal came from open cast mining, which is a very different animal.

Reply to
newshound

Colombian coal is coming from open-cast mines whilst Kellingley's coal is

2,600' down and 6 miles along.

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Reply to
Graham Nye

in a country that prefers to import cheap coal mined by child labour in South America.

Reply to
Martin

A ton of coal costs £45 to mine in UK A ton of coal costs £35 to mine in Russia A ton of coal costs even less to mine using child labour in South America.

Reply to
Martin

Almost everything except shelf stacking is past its sell by date in UK.

Reply to
Martin

Drax is partly converted to burning wood chips imported from Canada.

Reply to
Martin

You're being your usual "if-it's-not-black-it-must-be-white" fatheaded self.

Reply to
Tim Streater

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