The firm is to carry out a review of its mines and while it refused to rule out mine closure, it said there would be no job losses.

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The strike began after workers at the Cortonwood pit near Barnsley walked out after being told their mine was scheduled for closure.

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He said the company was also working with the government to help manage the closure of the mine.

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The fire at the deep coal mine, which forced its early closure, was extinguished earlier this month.

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The temporary closure of the Silver Shaft at the Lucky Friday mine was ordered last year by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration for removal of built-up sand and concrete material.

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The company said the closure was necessitated by weak volcanic rock above the ore deposit which allowed water to flow into the mine.

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