Miners at the Nottinghamshire pit have achieved a positive turn-around as a result of a review process aimed at achieving efficiency and improving profitability.

The 500 miners achieved budgeted tonnage for eight of 13 weeks to produce 250,930 tonnes with the mine expected to produce a total of 1.35 million tonnes this year. To achieve this the mine has to produce 43,879t a week until the end of the year. During the six months to June, Welbeck produced 500,000t

Some 4500m of roadway development is required, with self-managed development teams – that give workers more control over their headings - a key new strategy.

“Men are being given more say,” assistant manager Steve Davidson told UK Coal newsletter NewScene.

“They plan the job and are responsible for it, right down to organising their own rest days. The rates of 84m a week have been driven from the men, and the opportunities to set straps at 1.2m gives the potential to improve the system, if we do nothing else, by 6%.”

Ideas to improve the mine’s operations emerged from brain storming review groups involving management, unions and 50 employees. Four groups tackled the areas of production, development, infrastructure and manpower.

The infrastructure team concentrated on shafts, conveying, transport systems and organisation.

As part of a focus on reducing costs, Welbeck has also introduced new lightweight stonedust bags, 43,000 of which have been hung in drivages since their introduction by UK Coal a year ago.