London - The biggest coal mining group in Britain, RJB Mining, said yesterday it would close a "super pit" in central England, raising the prospect of a buy-out on the part of disgruntled miners.
RJB said in a statement that it would close its Asfordby pit in Leicestershire because of "adverse geological conditions". However, miners rejected the announcement as a smokescreen and said they might consider buying the mine. The president of the Union of Democratic Mineworkers said there was no reason to close it. - (AFP)