Protesting miners recently gathered in Downing Street, amidst claims that seven of the countries mine could be closed by Christmas, The Journal reported.
UK Coal announced in December the government had offered £36.5 million in Investment Aid to access coal reserves through projects in roadway development and repair, the refurbishment of older equipment and the purchase of new equipment.
Detailed plans for a two-year investment are still being finalised, and fears have been raised by miners that some collieries could be deemed unviable and closed, including the Ellington mine in north-east England.
The protests followed the closure of Hatfield Main Colliery at the end of January. Miners in full pit gear, carried two bags of coal, one coated in tomato ketchup, to symbolise "the blood of overseas miners whose exploitation enables the UK to maintain a flow of cheap coal imports", The Journal reported.
