What is a Mining Search When Buying a Property?

What Is a Mining Search?

A mining search is a conveyancing search that checks whether a property sits above or near historic mine workings that could pose a risk of ground instability or subsidence. Mining-related subsidence can be sudden and severe, and it can affect properties many miles from the original pit head through a network of tunnels that were often poorly recorded.

What Types of Mining Are Checked?

Different minerals were extracted in different regions, and the search types vary accordingly:

Coal Authority Searches

The most widely required mining search is the Coal Authority Search (CON29M). It is mandatory wherever a property is situated in a coal mining area.

A Coal Authority search reveals:

• Whether the property is in a defined coal mining reporting area
• Whether there are recorded mine entries (shafts or adits) within 20 metres
• Whether the property has been affected by past surface mining
• Whether there are any current subsidence claims

The search currently costs around £40, returns within a few days, and is a standard part of the search pack in affected areas.

Other Ground Stability Searches

Beyond coal, several commercial providers offer broader assessments:

• GroundSure Subsidence, covers coal, brine, tin, limestone, clay and chalk in a single report
• Terrafirma, detailed ground stability and mining risk report for complex cases
• Landmark Mining, combines multiple data sets into a single residential mining risk assessment

These searches typically cost between £30 and £80.

Typical Search Costs

What Happens If Mining Risk Is Identified?

A positive result does not necessarily mean the property is unsafe or unmortgageable. The result needs to be interpreted in context:

• Historic risk only, no active workings, many properties in these areas are sold and mortgaged routinely
• Recorded mine entry within 20 m, warrants further investigation; the Coal Authority can advise on the recorded status
• Subsidence claim on the property, requires disclosure and likely resolution before exchange
• Active or recent instability, structural engineer's report and specialist ground investigation may be required

The Coal Authority operates a subsidence compensation scheme under the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991. If mining subsidence damages a property, the Authority has a statutory duty to carry out or fund remedial works.

You can view the property's full title and any registered restrictions on Property Passport UK alongside other key property data before your solicitor commissions the formal search pack.

Do You Need a Mining Search Everywhere?

No, mining searches are location-specific. In areas with no recorded mining history, no search is needed. In former industrial heartlands and areas with known mineral extraction, the appropriate search is recommended as a matter of course. Your solicitor will know which searches are required for the specific postcode.