In 2020, a 60,000-tonne landslide occurred at a disused coal tip site in Rhondda Cynon Taf due to storms, raising concerns about the potential risks posed by such sites.
The Welsh government has allocated £44 million for safety work in response. The newly established Coal Tip Safety Team is focused on minimizing future risks and has published the locations of 350 higher-risk coal tip sites, some of which are near residential areas.
The team employs various techniques, including 3D mapping, motion sensors, remote cameras, and regular inspections to monitor and mitigate potential dangers.
The tragic Aberfan disaster of 1966, in which a colliery spoil tip collapsed, resulting in numerous fatalities, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of their work.
