UK's Last Deep Coal Mine Shuts Down Amid Climate Change Concerns

Kellingley Colliery, the United Kingdom’s last deep coal mine was closed less than a week after 195 countries agreed to curb emissions and limit the increase of global temperatures in a landmark deal in Paris.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Workers at the United Kingdom’s last deep coal mine have worked their final shift on Friday, marking an end of an era for the once-popular industry amid global pledges to address climate change concerns.

Kellingley Colliery’s closure comes less than a week after 195 countries agreed to curb emissions and limit the increase of global temperatures in a landmark deal in Paris.

"In some respects it’s very sad but in other respects I feel very privileged to be the last manager here and to be at the last deep mine in the UK," the BBC broadcaster quoted Kellingley manager Shaun McLouhlin as saying.

Dubbed the "Big K," the over 2,500-foot deep mine in the Yorkshire village of Knottingley leaves 450 miners jobless 40 years after beginning production.

The broadcaster reports Kellingley’s two shafts will be emptied of cables and ropes, then filled with concrete 30 feet deep. Surface buildings are planned to be demolished, the site levelled and ownership transferred to a real estate company for future redevelopment.

McLoughlin said redundant equipment worth an equivalent of $223 million would be sealed underground, while unsold surface machinery would go "into the scrap bin for scrap value."

National Coal Mining Museum Director and former miner Andy Smith linked the closure to "massive" inspection and infrastructure costs.

"Although you're looking at a lot of money, you're looking at a bigger amount of money to keep it running," Smith stressed.

North Yorkshire’s Drax coal-fired power station is reportedly scheduled to stay open into 2016.