The move is aimed at ensuring that key functions operate at optimum performance. Four ‘business managers’ have been appointed for groups of deep mines with an annual turnover of £150 million. UK Coal currently operates the country’s remaining 14 longwall mines.

David Betts has been appointed for Northern Deep mines (Kellingley, Rossington, Maltby and in due course, Ellington).

Phil Garner will be responsible for Southern Deep mines (Harworth, Thoresby and Welbeck).

Bill Tinsley is responsible for the Selby group of mines, due to cease production by mid 2004.

UK Coal’s big Daw Mill operation, will operate as a standalone unit, with colliery manager David Vint reporting directly to UK Coal director of mining, Pat O’Brien.

The business manager appointments are viewed by UK Coal as a crucial part of a company-wide restructuring process. On the drawing board are plans to put in place new colliery structures, including mechanical and electrical engineers; a technical support manager; transport manager; a manager for conveying systems responsible for coal clearance systems and bunkers; and development and production undermanagers.

“We have identified the responsibilities and now we need accountability to ensure we maintain the momentum in improving efficiency, reducing unit costs and sustaining our high standards of safety and health at work that will give our mines the best opportunity of long term viability,” said O’Brien.

UK Coal is also urging its mine workers to end what it calls the ‘culture of confrontation’ still rife in the industry and develop a more open, transparent and constructive dialogue.

“In all our discussions with the mining unions, we have presented the commercial reality of mining and selling coal in a UK market that has unfettered access to coal imported from other countries, much of that coal being at prices below our production costs,” said chief executive Gordon McPhie.

“We have overwhelming evidence from the running times of our equipment and belt systems, to show that efficiency gains are there to be had. By working together at all levels within the business we can harness those gains sooner than might otherwise be the case,” he said.

“It is an approach we wish to encourage, and in collectively doing so, we will enhance job security as well as the prospects of improved rewards.”