Site Investigation Services: Safeguarding Development Through Coal Drilling and Mineworking Investigations

At Rogers Geotechnical Services Limited, we understand that safe and reliable construction begins long before the foundations are poured. Across Yorkshire and beyond, historic coal mining continues to influence how land can be developed, especially in areas where hidden workings, mine entries and instability still pose serious risks. Our site investigation services support landowners, developers and planning professionals by delivering clear, accurate and trustworthy information that ensures projects can move forward with confidence.

Our work is rooted in decades of experience, with coal drilling and mineworking investigations forming a core part of what we do. From Wakefield and Barnsley to Halifax, Leeds, Brighouse, Sheffield and Rotherham, our specialists carry out expert assessments that help reduce uncertainties and make sites safe for future use. 

Additionally, we offer fixed price lump sum services for locations closest to the home of our drilling fleet in Huddersfield, while sites further afield are priced according to travel distance.

(Above) A site we worked on where we investigated and revealed shallow coal workings and remediated the site by excavating the remaining workings and backfilling in accordance with a fully engineered process that we supervised. We carried out insitu density and plate bearing tests as the backfilled layers progressed.

The Importance of Coal Drilling in High Risk Areas

Coal mining once shaped entire towns across the UK and many of these same areas are now experiencing significant regeneration and new development. While this progress is welcome, it also presents a challenge. Around 15% of coalfield land is classed as a Development High Risk Area. That means thorough investigation remains essential in places where past mineworking can lead to subsidence, instability and unexpected ground conditions.

This is where professional coal drilling becomes vital. Our investigations help to identify the depth and condition of coal seams, detect worked voids and confirm whether unrecorded or inaccurately plotted mine entries are present. Without this information, planning authorities cannot be confident that land is suitable for construction.

Site Investigation Services from Rogers Geotechnical Services Limited

At Rogers Geotechnical Services we offer a variety of site investigation services that can help us with our coal drilling & minework investigations. These include: 

Desk Study and Coal Mining Risk Assessment

Every project begins with understanding the site’s history. Before any drilling takes place, we’ll carry out detailed desk studies that gather geological records, historic minework plans, Coal Authority data and aerial imagery. These early investigations often allow us to estimate the depth, presence and potential extent of coal workings before we break ground. They can also help identify the likely position of shafts or adits that may require further investigation.

Our Coal Mining Risk Assessments provide clear, structured advice to support planning applications: highlighting potential hazards and setting out what further work may be required to confirm safe development.

Drilling Investigations

If a CMRA identifies potential risks, we follow up with rotary borehole drilling to confirm conditions beneath the surface. We use both core drilling and open hole drilling. 

Core drilling allows us to retrieve intact rock samples that provide precise structural information, whereas open hole drilling recovers chippings that also help identify geological features and worked areas.

The aim of this stage is simple. We determine whether coal seams remain intact or have been previously extracted and whether voids exist that could compromise stability. This information forms the foundation of safe design and risk mitigation strategies.

Mine Entry Investigation

Shafts and adits were once the gateways into underground mineworkings. Some were carefully recorded while others were charted with approximate accuracy, leading to the creation of departure zones that must be examined during site investigation.

To confirm the presence or absence of recorded or suspected mine entries, we employ a combination of techniques including boreholes, targeted excavation and geophysical surveying. Identifying these features early ensures that developments can proceed safely with appropriate support or remediation in place.

Reporting and Mitigation

Once the investigation data has been gathered, we’ll prepare a comprehensive interpretive report. This document forms the evidence required by Local Planning Authorities and includes recommended remediation measures when risks are confirmed. These measures vary depending on the findings but may include grouting of voids, installing engineered caps above shafts or in some cases the excavation of shallow workings.

Why You Should Choose Our Team For Coal Drilling and Mineworking Investigations

We are proud that our expertise is recognised by the UK’s Mining Remediation Authority, which has approved us as fully competent in managing mining related hazards and ground stability issues. When you work with us, you’ll benefit from:

• Rapid turnaround of Coal Mining Risk Assessments, usually within five to ten working days

• Highly experienced engineers and geologists with specialist knowledge of coalfield conditions

• Detailed evaluation of mining legacy risks including voids, unrecorded workings and shafts

• Modern drilling equipment and advanced techniques that deliver precise, dependable data

• Full compliance with the requirements of Local Planning Authorities and the Coal Authority
  

Our team offers guidance at every stage of the process: streamlining the journey, explaining what each finding means and ensuring that no project is delayed unnecessarily.

Supporting Development Across Yorkshire and Beyond

Areas local to us such as Wakefield, Barnsley, Halifax, Leeds, Brighouse, Sheffield and Rotherham have extensive mining histories and continue to be hotspots for redevelopment. Whether you are working on residential housing, commercial premises or infrastructure projects, our site investigation services ensure you begin with a complete understanding of your ground conditions.

Coal Investigations, regeneration schemes and private landowners all benefit from having accurate data before making investment or planning commitments. Our work helps protect budgets, reduce unexpected complications and keep projects moving.

FAQs

Q) How long does the Coal Mining Risk Assessment process take?

A) Most of our assessments are completed within five to ten working days. However, if you need information sooner, please let our team know and we’ll do our best to accelerate the process.

Q) What happens if the CMRA identifies a serious risk?

A) If potential problems are detected, we’ll recommend targeted investigations using specialist drilling rigs and techniques. The results are analysed and presented in a clear interpretive report that outlines the steps required to address or mitigate the risk.