BLENKINSOPP Colliery in Northumbria is one of four coal mines set to share a cash injection of £25m after the European Commission gave its approval, the Government said.
The money is intended to help the coal industry through short-term market problems and will safeguard more than 1,000 jobs, said Energy Minister Peter Hain.
Blenkinsopp will receive £1.7m, Longannet Deep Mine, in Scotland, gets £18.32m, Hatfield Colliery, near Doncaster, £3.81m, and Betws Colliery, in Wales, gets £1.97m. The cash will be paid under the Coal Operating Aid Scheme.
Mr Hain said: "Today's money will protect over 1,000 vital mining jobs. Those who dismiss the industry as having little relevance are wrong. The coal industry has a key role to play in meeting UK energy needs, and provides one- third of electricity generation."
Dave Douglass, branch secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers at Hatfield colliery, said of the latest aid: "It's good, it will really help us. The four mines are all privately-owned, one-off pits, so the money will be well received."
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