The Coal Authority has gone out to tender with a contract for exploratory drilling of a mine water monitoring borehole to assess rising mine water on the surrounding environment at two separate sites with an estimated total value of £500,000.

A review of the mine water block by the Coal Authority in 2020 highlighted the potential for elevated mine water levels at Thornely & Deaf Hill sites - elevated mine water levels could pose a risk to the drinking water aquifers that overlie the mine workings.

The Coal Authority intend to construct a borehole to intersect flooded underground workings to allow monitoring of mine water levels that are thought to be representative of the area.

An on-going works review will take place on each borehole and after review it may be concluded that a contract extension or value increase may be justified.

Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is 19 September 2023 – click here to access the tender documentation.