Ministers have been accused of "environmental vandalism" in a furious row over the approval of the first new British coal mine in 30 years.
Coking coal from the site in Cumbria, which was given the green light by Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove on Thursday, will be used for steel production in the UK and abroad.
It is expected to extract nearly 2.8 million tonnes of coal per year - and West Cumbrian Mining said 500 staff will be hired at the Whitehaven mine. It hopes 80% of these roles are filled by local staff.
