大象传媒

South Wales is home to the largest opencast mine in the United Kingdom - at Ffos y Fran to the east of Merthyr Tydfil.听

The bulk of the operation's output goes either to the coal-fired power station at Aberthaw near Barry or to Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant.听

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Operator Miller Argent says demand is high - so high it wants to open another opencast mine at nearby Nant Llesg at the top of the neighbouring Rhymney Valley.

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That's a prospect viewed with dismay by many local residents who fear that dust, noise and vibration from the proposed mine could blight the nearby communities of Rhymney, Pontlottyn and Fochriw.听

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Miller Argent says noise and dust won't be a problem for residents as the company already goes above and beyond its legal obligations to minimise those issues at Ffos y Fran and they'll do the same at Nant Llesg.

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But campaigners against the plans remain to be convinced.

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In this programme, Felicity Evans hears from both sides of the argument.