As a UK-based executive search firm specialising in the mining industry, we’re often surprised by how many people are unaware that mining remains an active and vital part of the United Kingdom’s economy. Despite its rich history, the modern UK mining sector is sometimes overlooked or considered a thing of the past.
In this article, we aim to clear up any misconceptions and answer the question: Are there still miners in the United Kingdom?
The short answer is yes, absolutely. But there’s much more to the story so let’s explore the current state of mining in the UK.
(Article Updated February 2025)
The Decline of Coal
The days of deep coal mining may be largely gone for the United Kingdom, but small-scale, varied mines are ensuring the industry’s survival. There are approximately 2,000 active mines and quarries in the UK as of 2018. These sites produce a wide range of materials necessary for various industries. From the Highlands to Devon, its minerals industry supports tens of thousands of jobs and contributes billions to the economy.
The number of operational deep coal mines in the United Kingdom (UK) has been steadily falling, from 33 in 2000 to 6 as of 2022. The number of operational opencast coal mining sites in the UK, which remained more common for a period of time, has varied a lot more. As of 2022 there were just two opencast coal mines operating in the UK.1
The approximate value of coal produced in the United Kingdom amounted to 175 million British pounds in 2022. The coal industry in the UK was once a hugely important sector but has now been in decline for a number of decades, as it is gradually removed from the UK’s energy mix in favour of renewable energy sources.2
In 2023, coal production fell to a record low of 506,000 tonnes, marking a 22% decrease from 2022. Surface mining contributed 425,000 tonnes to this total.
Employment in the sector has also diminished. In 1920, the industry employed nearly 1.2 million people. By March 2023, this number had decreased to 242 individuals working in underground mines.
These trends reflect the UK’s transition away from coal as an energy source. For instance, Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station ceased operations in September 2024, marking the end of coal-fired electricity generation in Britain.
Today’s Mineral Production in the UK
As well as energy minerals (coal), today, mineral production in the UK comprises key sectors mainly construction minerals, industrial minerals and metal minerals.
- Energy minerals: coal
- Construction minerals: aggregates, brick clay, and cement raw materials
- Industrial minerals: kaolin (china clay) and ball clay, silica sand, gypsum, potash, salt, industrial carbonates, fluorspar, and barytes
- Metal minerals: tungsten and gold
Large volumes of limestone and dolomite are still mined and quarried in the UK (303 mining sites in Jan 2023 with an increase to 314 in February 2024). The largest number of limestone and dolomite mining sites are located in the South West of England. This historic mining region was once a global leader in the metal mining industry in the UK, especially for tin.
Although metal mining has followed a similar fate to the coal mining industry, the production of non-ferrous ores such as tungsten has seen an increase in recent years. Deposits of lithium are also thought to be present in these mines, which have been gaining increasing importance as a metal used to power electric vehicles.
In 2022, the UK’s total mineral production was valued at nearly £46 billion, encompassing fossil fuels, metals, and industrial minerals.
The UK government has identified 34 minerals as critical to the economy, including lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, essential for technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
The Current State of Play
The United Kingdom is home to many natural mineral deposits, from fossil fuels such as coal, metals such as tin and copper, and industrial minerals like china clay. Even precious metals such as gold and silver can be found.
Although the UK mining sector has experienced a significant decline over the past century, with turnover dropping from €79.8 billion in 2008 to €44.2 billion in 2018, which had increased by 4.2 billion euros (+10.42 percent) in comparison to the previous year.3
Crushed rock was the leading mineral commodity based on production volume in 2020, with over 117 million metric tons produced. Other construction materials followed with 46 million metric tons. Industrial minerals accounted for 9.7 million metric tons. Coal and oil and gas each had a production volume of 1.7 million metric tons.
These figures have since been updated to 2021 figures (published Aug 8, 2024) – crushed rock was the leading mineral commodity in the United Kingdom (UK) based on production volume in 2021, with over 125 million metric tons produced that year. 52.6 million metric tons for construction materials which is up from 46 million metric tons from the previous year and coal and oil and gas were up from the previous year (2020) with 1.1 in million metric tons of coal and 1.5 in million metric ton for oil and gas.4
Some miners in the United Kingdom who are currently operating include Cornish Lithium who are set to deliver a feasibility study for its Trelavour hard rock mining project in 2025, and aim to produce 10,000 tonnes of sustainable domestic lithium a year by 2027.
Cornish Metals who are working away at dewatering and starting rehab work at their South Crofty project, and in 2024 secured a £28.75 million investment from the UK government’s National Wealth Fund to reopen the tin mine in Cornwall, aiming to restart production by 2027 and create over 300 jobs.
Cornish Tin uncovering new high-grade tin lodes and lithium beneath the historic Wheal Vor workings. Anglesey Mining who are engaged in exploring and developing its Parys Mountain property which hosts a significant polymetallic zinc, copper, lead, silver and gold deposit.
Top Mining Companies in the United Kingdom
Rio Tinto is a London based company which predominantly operates in North America and Australia, as well as areas of Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. In 2022, they were by far the largest mining company based in the UK in terms of turnover at 46.9 billion GBP which was approximately one and a half times more than Anglo American. They were ranked as the world’s fourth largest mining company worldwide based on revenue in 2022.
In 2023, numbers saw a decline with revenue of 43.2 billion British pounds, which still meant Rio Tinto was by far the largest mining company based in the United Kingdom in terms of revenue in 2023. This was nearly 20 billion British pounds more than Anglo American, the company with the second-largest revenue among UK mining companies at that time.
Rio Tinto was not only the largest mining company in the United Kingdom in 2023. In the same year, this company ranked as the world’s fourth largest mining company worldwide based on revenue. Anglo American came eighth in the same ranking. In terms of mining companies’ market capitalisation, Rio Tinto ranked second in the world as of May 2024, with a market cap of over 120 billion U.S. dollars.5
New Engineering Degree Course
Some good news for the miners in the United Kingdom and the UK’s mining industry is the recent announcement that Camborne School of Mines, part of the University of Exeter, will be relaunching its full-time undergraduate degree in Mining Engineering.
This new programme will be part of the University’s wider Engineering 2030 strategy and will sit alongside a suite of new and existing engineering programmes across their campuses. Students will study a common first year in all engineering programmes and then will be able to continue or convert to the dedicated mining engineering programme in their second year of study. This common first year is due to start in the 2025/26 academic year. The University is also seeking to create scholarships to support students to continue in the programme.
Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Exeter, announced the decision at the recent Camborne School of Mines Association gala dinner in Perth, Australia.
We shared further information on this here.
Conclusion
The mining industry in the United Kingdom, though much changed from its heyday, continues to play a crucial role in the economy and the broader supply chain. While deep coal mining may have largely receded into history, the UK remains home to a diverse range of mining operations. This ongoing activity underlines the adaptability and resilience of the sector, even as it faces evolving challenges and opportunities.
At Mining International, we understand the unique demands of this industry. Our expertise in the mining sector positions us to assist companies in navigating these changes by securing the executive talent they need to thrive. We provide tailored recruitment solutions to meet the specific needs of your business, and as the industry evolves, having the right leadership in place is more critical than ever, and that’s where we excel.
If your company is facing challenges in securing top talent or you want to explore opportunities in this dynamic sector, we’re here to help, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can provide expert guidance and support for your recruitment needs.
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