Owners of the Betws drift mine in Ammanford are calling on the UK government to intervene on an industry-wide basis.

Martin Cook fears for the colliery's future

Around 80 miners have been laid off without pay for more than a fortnight following an underground fire at the west Wales mine.

But the owners said the lack of insurance was now preventing them from returning to work.

Managing director Martin Cook said the mine was in danger of closing permanently if a solution is not found.

"We are ready to restart production after the fire but we are trying to battle on to get insurance," he said.

"The situation doesn't seem to be easing at all.

"It is a matter that we could close by the end of next week."

The company pays £150,000 a year in insurance premiums but a recent one-week extension cost £30,000.

Last week Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy announced that a special aid scheme, allowing the mine to continue operating, had been extended for a further five months.

Customers are being supplied from reserves

Mr Cook added: "Our bank has been providing us with emergency funds until that special aid comes through by November."

Doug Bulmer, the Head of the Federation of Independent Mines, said that for the next five days miners would get paid £17 a day, even though they have been laid off.

But after that, they would face three weeks on the dole before being made redundant.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) secretary at Betws, Anthony Jones, said it was worrying for everyone concerned.

"The longer we are off work the more conditions underground will deteriorate.

It is a difficult position which is out of the control of the colliery."

Private mine

The colliery is currently using its stockpiles of coal to supply customers.

Betws is a modern drift mine which opened in 1978 and was privatised in 1994.

It produces approximately 100,000 tons of coal each year for domestic and industrial use.

The company also supplies anthracite for specialist industrial filters.