About Us

The Coal Authority works to protect the public and the environment in coal mining areas. We manage the effects of past coal mining in order to promote public safety and safeguard the landscape – now and for future generations.

The Coal Authority owns, on behalf of the country, the vast majority of the coal in Great Britain, as well as former coal mines. The Coal Authority is an NDPB (non-departmental public body) sponsored by DECC (Department for Energy and Climate Change), and was established by Parliament in 1994 to undertake specific statutory responsibilities associated with:

• Licensing coal mining operations in Britain
  view our Permissions Services and Licensing Services
  
  
• Handling subsidence damage claims which are not the responsibility of licensed coalmine operators
  view our Public Safety and Subsidence Claims Services
  
  
• Dealing with property and historic liability issues, such as treatment of minewater discharges
  view our Estates and Property Legal Services and Environmental Projects
  
  
• Providing public access to information on past and present coal mining operations
  view our Property Search Services or Historic Mining Records
  
  
• Providing a 24 hour call-out service for reported surface hazards
  view our Emergency Response Service

Useful Information

• Contact Us
• Corporate Governance and Board Meetings
• Freedom of Information Publication Scheme