MPs to investigate the consequences of metal mine pollution in Wales
The Welsh Affairs Committee will hold a one-off evidence session to examine the environmental and human impacts of metal mine pollution in Wales.
Abandoned metal mines cause extensive pollution across the country, with figures from the Mining Remediation Authority showing that around 1,300 sites impact on the water quality and ecology in more than 700km of watercourses.
MPs will question Financial Times’ Correspondent and host of the ‘Untold: Toxic Legacy’ podcast Laura Hughes, alongside Professor Mark Macklin who has been investigating the consequences of metal mine pollution on rivers for more than 40 years.
Meeting details
The aim of the session is to see what progress has been made to address metal mine pollution two years on from a similar hearing held by the predecessor committee in the last parliament.
In addition to examining the health and environmental impacts of metal mining, the committee is likely to explore what more can be done to support communities affected by the pollution and to manage contaminated land.
The session is part of the committee’s ongoing work examining the environmental and economic legacy of Wales’ industrial past.