Clipstone Colliery has the benefit of a licence issued under Part II of the Coal Industry Act 1994 and a lease of the coal. The Coal Authority has a leasehold interest in the surface land and owns a large amount of colliery plant and equipment.

UK Coal has stated that it intends to cease mining at Clipstone Colliery in March 2003 and the Authority is seeking expressions of interest from prospective operators of sufficient financial standing to secure the physical integrity of the mine and to invest in its renewed development as an active mine.