Crunch talks start on the future of Aberpergwm Colliery

About 300 people lost their jobs at the pit just before Christmas 2012

A 30-day consultation has begun on plans to mothball a coal mine in Neath Port Talbot, leading to redundancies.

About 60 staff are employed at Aberpergwm Colliery, near Glynneath, by American owners Walter Energy.

The National Union of Mineworkers South Wales branch said it had been informed the consultation period starts from Friday.

Neath AM Gwenda Thomas said she hoped jobs could be saved.

"I await discussions between the unions and management, and wish that there will be a positive outcome," she said.

About 300 workers lost their jobs in 2012 when the mine started what it called a shut down process, retaining about 20 jobs to maintain the site.

Extra staff were taken on when mining restarted. But the firm warned then that further investment did need the global price of coal to improve.