Two people have been arrested after chaining themselves to machinery at the site of an opencast coal mine in Wales which brought work to a halt.

Around 30 protesters arrived at the Ffos y Fran site, one of the largest sites in Europe, at approximately 6.30am yesterday highlighting the "hypocrisy" of a government that claims to be taking climate change seriously, while approving new coal mines and coal-fired power stations.


Merthyr residents have opposed the scheme for many years. The mine comes within 36 metres of local homes – in England and Scotland, the scheme would have been rejected due to legislation requiring a 500 metre buffer zone between opencast mines and residential areas.

This is the second time national climate change activists have invaded the site after a protest involving environmentalist George Monbiot in December.

Developer Miller Argent has said the site will reclaim derelict land and bring benefits to the area.

(CD/JM)