ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have slammed a decision to drop a prosecution against four of its activists for blockading Ffos-Y-Fran open-cast mine.

Extinction Rebellion (XR) was responding to the Crown Prosecution Service dropping all charges against the four activists who blockaded the entrance to the open-cast coal mine in Merthyr Tydfil with a pink boat.

Liz Pendleton was one of the four defendants who occupied the site for over 24 hours in July 2023 and said: “By denying us our day in court the CPS has denied us the opportunity to shine a light on this potentially illegal and criminal operation.

“It was designed to expose the alleged illegal activities and environmental negligence of the mining operation, in particular, its continued operation beyond permitted planning conditions and contradictory and misleading financial statements which may well constitute fraud.” 

The open-cast mine in Merthyr Tydfil had been operating without a licence for almost 10 months when XR activists took direct action.