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Quarrying & Opencast Mining
Is this devolved to Wales?
Devolved
The necessary powers are not reserved to the UK Parliament in Schedule 7A of the Government of Wales Act 2006.
Shared Powers
Insert a specific explanation of the powers situation for this issue here.
Not Devolved
The powers over this are reserved to the UK Parliament in Schedule 7A of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (Specific Section/Number/Clause).
The Welsh Government is responsible for planning policies and licensing for new coal mines and minerals extraction (usually via quarries). These policies are listed in Mineral Technical Advice Notes (MTANs)1. Most minerals extracted in Wales are used by the construction industry, including sandstone, limestone, bluestone, granite and slate.
The guidance for aggregates is MTAN 1 (published in 2004), and similar guidance for coal mines (deep and opencast) is MTAN 2 (2009).
On November 11th 2026, the Senedd approved a motion on a proposed Member’s Bill tabled by Kiera Marshall MS, which would seek to strengthen rules around quarry safety and extend buffer zones between quarries and residential areas.
The rules for opencast coal mines are generally stricter than those for aggregates/quarries. For example, the buffer zone – the minimum distance between a quarry and nearby residential areas – is much smaller for quarries (100 – 200 metres) compared to opencast mines (500 metres).
The (lack of/delayed) restoration of opencast coal mines is a controversial issue in itself.
Additionally, the Welsh Government’s policy since the early 2020s is to oppose awarding licences for new opencast coal mines, though there’s no similar policy for aggregates. Some proposed quarry developments (for example, expansion of the Craig-y-Hesg quarry near Glyncoch and Ynysybwl) have faced opposition from residents living nearby2 who have raised concerns about the environment, safety and disruption caused by blasting.
The situation around quarry safety and planning rules was brought into focus following an explosion and serious flood at Gwaelod-y-Garth to the north of Cardiff on 30th July 20263. The initial cause of the flood is believed to be blasting at the nearby Breedon’s quarry, which breached old mine workings which had filled with water.
There are quarries located across the country. In 2020, the British Geological Survey registered4 around 460 mineral workings and quarries (including waste and depots) with a Welsh address. Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Powys and Pembrokeshire contained the most entries.
As of 2023, Wales has no active opencast coal mines.
Charts (if needed)
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Costs & Economic Impact
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Who has raised this at the Senedd?
Sian Gwenllian MS
Local Government & Housing Minister
Kiera Marshall MS
Backbencher
Sara Crowley MS
Backbencher
Lis McLean MS
Co-Chair: Culture
Huw Thomas MS
Backbencher
Vikki Howells MS
Senedd Commissioner
Janet Finch-Saunders MS
Backbencher
Sian Gwenllian MS
Local Government & Housing Minister
Kiera Marshall MS
Backbencher
Sara Crowley MS
Backbencher
Lis McLean MS
Co-Chair: Culture
Huw Thomas MS
Backbencher
Vikki Howells MS
Senedd Commissioner
Janet Finch-Saunders MS
Backbencher
What are the party positions on this?
- Supports stricter rules
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Plaid Cymru backbenchers support stricter rules for quarrying, believing the current rules are outdated and that the planning process favours quarry operators over residents.
- Supports
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Reform UK MSs haven’t spoken on this and their votes were split on the motion in November 2026, with the majority abstaining.
- Supports stricter rules
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Labour backs a review of existing quarrying rules, believing they are outdated and need to take into account modern environmental and safety standards.
- Supports
- Opposed
- Supports responsible quarry operation
The Conservatives don’t necessarily support stricter rules, but want good quarrying practices – such as dust management – to become commonplace.
- Supports stricter rules (in principle)
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Green MSs haven’t spoken on this, but voted in favour of the motion in November 2026.
- Supports stricter rules (in principle)
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Jane Dodds hasn’t said anything on this specifically, but voted in favour of the motion in November 2026.
Who is responsible?
Sian Gwenllian MS
Local Government & Housing Minister
What have ministers said?
What's being done about this?
Although Kiera Marshall MS has got Senedd approval to introduce a law on this, backbench laws are rarely passed in the Senedd, so the chances of a new law making it onto the statute book are slim.
The most likely thing to happen would be for the Welsh Government to update the existing guidance for aggregates/quarries (MTAN 1) if they choose to do so.
There are no timescales yet.
What have the Senedd's Committees said?
Nothing has been discussed yet.
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Relevant Votes
| Date | Motion Number | Subject | Tabled As | Binding Vote? | Votes For | Abstentions | Votes Against | Absent/No Vote | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/11/26 | NDM9314 | Bill Proposal – Strengthen rules around quarry safety and buffer zones |  | No | 55 | 19 | 13 | 7 | AGREED |
Further Reading
Welsh Government. “Minerals Technical Advice Notes“
BBC News (26th March 2024). “Quarry protest over fears for homes and health“
BBC News (30th July 2026). “Homes flooded and residents evacuated following quarry ‘incident’“
British Geological Survey. “Directory of Mines & Quarries 2020“
