Get a coal mining licence or other consent
How to find out if a coal mining licence or other consent is needed and how to apply.
You will need a licence for coal mining operations or another consent for any activity which enters or passes through the Coal Authority’s property.
When carrying out investigation or treatment of coal mining activities for development you’ll need to get a coal mining permit instead.
Coal mining operations which require a licence
You will need a licence for
- surface coal mining
- underground coal mining
- underground coal gasification
It’s an offence to carry out coal mining operations without a licence.
Other activities which require our consent
- deep energy boreholes
- exploitation of coal methane
- exploration for coal
- incidental coal which needs to be removed as part of a development
- mine water heat access - to find our more about these, get in touch with our team using the contact details below
Apply for a licence or other consent
To apply for a licence or other consent you will need to:
- download and complete the relevant application form after viewing the relevant model documents and guidance notes
- email or post your application to the Coal Authority’s Licensing Office
- pay the appropriate fee by credit card or direct bank transfer
Coal mining licence applications
View coal mining licence applications received by the Coal Authority
Coal Authority licences and agreements
View licences and agreements issued by the Coal Authority
Coal Authority and shale gas exploration
The Coal Authority does not grant licences for shale gas exploration.
The regulatory body for hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is the North Sea Transition Authority.
In the event that any proposed drilling passes through coal deposits or workings within Great Britain, then the Coal Authority, as the owner of these, will need to be approached for permission.
Typically, this will take the form of a deep energy borehole access agreement.
View the guidance notes and application form for a deep energy borehole access agreement
View the guidance document on fracking: developing Shale Gas in the UK
If you need help with your application
Contact the Coal Authority Permitting and Licensing team.
Coal Authority Permitting and Licensing team
Coal Authority
200 Lichfield Lane
Mansfield
Nottinghamshire
NG18 4RG
Email permissions@coal.gov.uk
Telephone 01623 637 450
Monday to Thursday: 8:45am to 5:00pm
Friday: 8:45am to 4:30pm
Updates to this page
Last updated 6 July 2021 + show all updates
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Link to Licences and Agreements issued by the Coal Authority added
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Coal Authority statement about shale gas exploration added
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First published.