The Last Miners

Kellingley Colliery in North Yorkshire is the last deep coal mine in Britain, but now it is due to close, bringing a once proud industry to an end. What will become of the men who spent their days in the dark to keep our lights on?

At Kellingley Colliery in North Yorkshire, deep coal mining in Britain is coming to an end, but before the last 450 miners complete their last ever shift, there's work to do. Shift manager Jonesy and his team Kev and Sheldon, as well as younger miners Jack and Andy, are under pressure to cut enough coal to pay off the pit's debts, ensure their redundancy pay and try to secure themselves a future beyond the mine.

Join them on their commute to work, dropping over 800 metres below ground before taking a paddy train for four miles to the coalface. As temperatures rise to 33 degrees, it’s a hostile and dangerous environment to work in, but their black humour is never far from the surface.

It seems to be ‘one of those days’ today - a number of mechanical breakdowns put them behind schedule, and just when everything looks like it is back on track, an unexpected incident in the shower room causes alarm for everyone. As the deadline for the closure approaches, it is clear that not everyone will be able to make their last trip underground…

Publicity contact: BC