22 April 2026
How Industry Engagement at Aberpergwm Mine is Changing Young Minds
In regions where industry is part of the landscape, perceptions are often shaped from a distance – through headlines, campaigns, or second-hand narratives. For young people growing up near these sites, those perceptions can solidify quickly, sometimes without ever seeing the reality on the ground.
A recent visit to the Aberpergwm Mine in South Wales by a young individual, Bronwyn Francis, demonstrates how direct engagement at an operational site can play a pivotal role in reshaping understanding, building trust, and fostering more informed views about the minerals industry.
A Local Perspective Shaped by External Narratives
Bronwyn’s journey began with concern. After reading material from an environmental campaign group about the impact of the mine’s expansion, she developed a negative perception of the operation and its environmental footprint.
Rather than remaining disengaged, Bronwyn took a proactive step – she contacted the company directly to raise her concerns and ask for more information. This is an important reminder that young people are not passive; they are actively forming opinions and seeking answers.
Opening the Gates: Industry in Dialogue
Energybuild’s response was simple but significant: an invitation for Bronwyn to visit the site.
This transformed the interaction from a remote exchange into an on-the-ground experience. The visit included:
- A presentation explaining how anthracite from the site is used
- A guided tour of operational areas
- Open discussion about environmental impact and future plans
This kind of access allows young people like Bronwyn to move beyond assumptions and engage directly with the realities of industrial operations.
Seeing the Reality of a Working Site
During her visit, Bronwyn gained insight into aspects of the operation that are rarely visible externally:
- Continuous monitoring systems ensuring worker safety
- Processing facilities managing and refining materials
- Environmental practices such as waste reuse and land restoration
- Biodiversity initiatives, including planting native species
- Laboratory testing to monitor environmental quality
Importantly, Bronwyn discovered that the anthracite produced is largely used for industrial processes rather than being burned – an important distinction often missing from public narratives.
Supporting Skills, Jobs and the Local Community
Beyond its operational activity, Energybuild plays a significant role in supporting the local economy and developing future talent.
The company employs around 160 people on site and supports local contractors and supply chains, reinforcing its importance within the regional economy. Notably, Energybuild funds and delivers its own apprenticeship programmes – currently supporting over 30 apprentices in electrical and mechanical disciplines. This is particularly significant given the limited public funding available for training within the coal sector.
These apprenticeships provide valuable pathways into skilled employment, helping to retain talent within the local area and ensuring that technical expertise is passed on to the next generation.
Energybuild is also actively engaged with the local community and wider stakeholders. The company has demonstrated a willingness to engage not only with individuals like Bronwyn, but also with environmental campaigners, academic institutions, and specialist organisations. Collaboration with universities and environmental experts supports ongoing efforts to reduce waste, improve environmental performance, and restore land.
On site, this commitment is visible through:
- Land restoration projects, including the reuse of waste material to regenerate former opencast sites
- Biodiversity initiatives such as planting native species with ecological guidance
- Development of peat bogs to support carbon capture and habitat restoration
- Exploration of renewable and low-carbon energy solutions, including solar, wind, geothermal and potential hydroelectric generation
Brian Thomas, Training, Mines Rescue & HR Manager for EnergyBuild Ltd states the value of communication:
“It was essential that we met with Bronwyn in person – showing her the reality of our operations and clearly explaining how our product is used. Since that visit, we’ve welcomed further groups of pupils and received interest from other schools, which demonstrates the wider impact that open engagement can have.”
This broader engagement shows how a local industrial site can act not only as a place of work, but as a hub for skills development, environmental innovation, and community collaboration.
Minerals Matter Ambassadors and the Value of Engagement
A key factor in enabling meaningful engagement like Bronwyn’s visit is the people behind the operation. Some Energybuild staff are active Minerals Matter Ambassadors, helping to bridge the gap between industry and the public.
At Minerals Matter, we actively support and promote these types of engagements because they deliver tangible impact. When young people are given the opportunity to engage directly with industry professionals, ask questions, and see operations first-hand, it leads to more informed and balanced perspectives.
A Measurable Change in Perspective
The impact of the visit on Bronwyn was clear. Her initial concerns were not dismissed -but they were reshaped through direct experience and open dialogue.
She left with:
- A more balanced understanding of environmental impacts and mitigation
- Greater awareness of the site’s economic and social contribution
- Recognition of the complexities involved in modern mining
This is the goal of meaningful engagement – not to change minds uncritically, but to enable informed perspectives.
Why Site-Based Engagement Matters
Bronwyn’s experience highlights a broader lesson for the minerals industry: engagement is most powerful when it is grounded in real-world experience.
- Young people are part of the community
For individuals like Bronwyn, industrial sites are not abstract – they are local, visible, and relevant. - Transparency builds trust
By opening its doors, the company demonstrated accountability and confidence. - First-hand experience challenges assumptions
Seeing operations up close provides a level of understanding that second-hand information cannot. - Dialogue creates understanding
Engagement turns potential conflict into constructive conversation.
Embedding Engagement into Industry Practice
The lesson from Bronwyn’s visit is clear: engagement with young people should be embedded into how industry operates, particularly in communities where sites are located.
This can include:
- Hosting regular site visits for students
- Building partnerships with schools and colleges
- Encouraging open communication and questions
- Demonstrating both environmental challenges and progress transparently
Bronwyn’s visit to Aberpergwm Mine shows how a single, well-handled engagement can shift perception from concern to understanding.
For the minerals industry, this is a powerful reminder: when young people are given the opportunity to see, question, and engage, they develop more informed and balanced views.
And in an industry that relies on public trust – especially at a local level – that understanding is invaluable.
We would like to express a big thank you to Bronwyn and EnergyBuild for providing their story, to view Bronwyn’s report of her visit please click on the image below.
