Landmark legislation to address the safety issues caused by Wales’s mining past has received Royal Assent, becoming law.
The Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill was officially sealed by First Minister Eluned Morgan at a ceremony in Blaenavon’s Big Pit.
In July 2025, the Senedd passed the Welsh Government’s Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill.
This modernised legislation will ensure the long-term effective management of disused tips and reduce the threat to public safety.
The Bill’s Royal Assent comes following significant funding provided by both the Welsh and UK governments.
The UK Government recently agreed to provide record funding of £118m over three years. When combined with Welsh Government investment of more than £100m, it means more than £220m has been invested in coal tip safety to date.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said:
“We’re spending millions of pounds on coal tip safety to support our communities living in the shadows of our mining past.
“We’ve changed the law, and we are going even further by setting up a new organisation to carry on this important safety work for generations to come.
“This investment brings economic growth and employment opportunities to some of the most deprived areas of Wales, bringing land back into use and encouraging investment in new technologies.
“I look forward to working with the UK Government to maintain momentum in this important area and continue to deliver prosperity for the people of Wales.”
Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies added:
“Our changing climate, industrial past and landscape mean we must act to keep Welsh communities safe from disused coal tips.
“We are already monitoring and inspecting tips, sharing information, and working with partners to protect communities.
“The recent £118m additional funding for coal tips safety from the UK Government really recognises the shared responsibility to address the legacy of coal mining in Wales, building on the work we in the Welsh Government are doing.
“Combining Welsh and UK Government resources effectively, helps us ensure communities are protected from this pre-devolution legacy.”
The new legislation will establish a new public body – the Disused Tips Authority for Wales – that has functions in relation to the assessment, registration, monitoring and management of disused tips. The new Authority will be established in April 2027.
This will be a dedicated Authority; a single purpose, expert body with a focus on ensuring Welsh communities living in the shadows of disused coal tips are safe.
The Authority’s responsibilities will be enshrined in law and will formalise the existing work undertaken by the Mining Remediation Authority, paving the way as part of a generational commitment to tip safety.
In the interim, the Welsh Government’s coal tip safety programme of work carries on and continues to work closely with local authorities, Natural Resources Wales and the Mining Remediation Authority to deliver an effective inspection and maintenance regime across Wales.
