Nuclear Waste Dump Advisor Under Fire

Dear Friends,

This is a very twisty tale and I hope you agree that it is a tale that urgently needs telling despite the silence of media and NGOs (who tell me they feel that any mention of nuclear regarding the Cumbria coal mine detracts from the climate issue). The chap who is advising the UK Government on “investigation techniques” for the UKs Nuclear Dumping plans along with “construction” and “costings” for high level nuclear waste also happens to be the CEO of West Cumbria Mining, Mark Kirkbride. WCM is financed by EMR Capital owned by Owen Hegarty whose other coal mine interests in Siberia have been financed by the Russian state.  

As you all know the first rounds of seismic blasting to test the (already known to be complex) geology in the Irish Sea for a nuclear dump has gone ahead without any public say or vote. The photo above shows the area of the now Government approved coal mine off St Bees (known for its fabulous wildlife) which lies between the two search areas of Mid-Copeland and Allerdale.  

A letter has been sent to the Foreign Office and to the Coal Authority on our behalf courtesy of Tim Farron MP asking that:

1. The Foreign Office fully investigate West Cumbria Mining’s Russian connections through EMR Capital and Owen Hegarty. Hegarty’s coal mine in Siberia has been bankrolled by the Russian state to the tune of millions of pounds. Government approved their nuclear dump advisor’s (Mark Kirkbride/CoRWM) Cumbrian coal mine despite West Cumbria Mining’s financier and director Owen Hegarty’s coal mine interests in Siberia having been bankrolled by the Russian state.

2. The Coal Authority take a lead in honouring the House of Lords call for a ban on any new coal mine licences being issued in the UK. That an earthquake inducing new coal mine should have even been considered so close to Sellafield is utterly reckless with public safety – the forseen consequences could make climate concerns regarding the coal mine pale into insignificance.

3. An inquiry into the dark cronyism surrounding the appointment of the CEO of West Cumbria Mining, Mark Kirkbride, to the position of Government advisor on Geological Disposal of High Level Nuclear Wastes, his coal mine lies between the nuclear dump target areas of Mid Copeland and Allerdale.

The full letter can be read here: https://keepcumbriancoalinthehole.wordpress.com/2023/06/27/actions-urged-regarding-nuclear-dump-bosss-coal-mine/

with best wishes

Marianne