Metal (Non-Coal) Mines Delivery Programme Until 2025/26

Description

Natural Resources Wales has a Metal Mine Strategy that focuses attention on the impacts on our failing waterbodies where over 700km of river reaches are failing chemically and/or ecologically in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. This contract is to extend the collaborative partnership with the Coal Authority to progress the assessment and remedial work at selected metal mines. Lot 1: NRW has a Metal Mine Strategy that focuses attention on the impacts on our failing waterbodies where over 700km of river reaches are failing chemically and/or ecologically in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. Our Metal (Non-Coal) Mine Programme is receiving capital funding from the Welsh Government to progress assessment and remedial work at selected metal mines. The Programme Board receives delivery, technical authority and specialist advice from members including Welsh Government, NRW and the Coal Authority. This Board makes decisions on the work programme progressing each year. NRW’s existing technical authority (Geoscience) and specialist resources in-house are insufficient to exploit the full benefits potential in developing further and delivering a programme of this scale and technical nature. In England, similar work is carried out by the Coal Authority through a direct government to government agreement between DEFRA, the Coal Authority and the Environment Agency. In the 2020/21 financial year, NRW implemented a similar arrangement with the Coal Authority for this programme. NRW now wishes to continue the relationship with the Coal Authority for a further five years, until the end of the 2025/26 financial year.