UK Coal raises production

The UK's biggest coal mining firm today said it had increased production over the past year despite disruption caused by a gas leak at one of its mines.

UK Coal reported that it had extracted 7.2 million tonnes in the year to December 25, a 3% increase on the previous year.

The company originally aimed to produce 7.3 million tonnes of coal in the year, but suffered a set-back in November when it was forced to shut a pit in Kellingley, North Yorkshire, following reports of dangerous levels of methane.