Owners have said there is no market for Harworth's coal

UK Coal says it will cost �16m to develop additional reserves at Harworth pit, near Worksop, and it has been unable to find a market for that coal.

Plans to mothball the site had been suspended earlier in the year when domestic demand for coal grew.

Union leaders say the news is a blow for the mining community where coal has been produced since 1924.

'Dedicated workforce'

A statutory notice advising of redundancies will follow a 90-day consultation period.

UK Coal chief executive Gerry Spindler said: "Everyone has worked tirelessly to find a solution.

"The performance and the dedication of the workforce at Harworth has been exemplary. We have all worked extremely hard to save the colliery at a time of increasing demand for coal, and will continue to do so."

UK Coal announced in July 2005 that it was putting Harworth into mothballs because of geological problems. The mine experienced high methane levels in the first quarter of 2005 which slowed coal extraction.

Harworth is one of six collieries operated by UK Coal and one of only seven deep mines remaining in the country.