UK Coal, Britain's largest coal mining company, has said it is assessing a merger approach that could mitigate the negative effects of its exposure to deep mines.

The Doncaster-based group stressed, however, that it hadn't received a cash offer from its major shareholder Peel Holdings or any other source following speculation in a national newspaper.

UK Coal said in a statement: "It is emphasised that this proposal is highly conditional and at a very preliminary stage and no view can be expressed as to whet......for the full story register now for free or login below...