Managing iron ochre sludge from abandoned coal mines: RPS 262
Environment Agency regulatory position on when you can store and dewater (dry) non-hazardous iron ochre sludge at an abandoned coal mine water treatment scheme.
Applies to England
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Details
This regulatory position statement (RPS) does not change your legal requirement to have an environmental permit for a waste operation when you store and dewater non-hazardous iron ochre sludge produced in settlement lagoons at an abandoned coal mine water treatment scheme.
However, the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action if you do not comply with this legal requirement if you meet the requirements in the RPS.
The regulatory position does not apply to any other legal requirements.
Updates to this page
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We have replaced the Coal Authority with the Mining Remediation Authority. You are required to give an estimate for the volume of imported sludges and a summary of all ochre sludge transfers. The activities in this RPS are now potentially suitable to be a waste exemption. This RPS will be reviewed by 31 March 2027.
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First published.