Bomb squad called after mortar find at mine

Apr 17 2008 by Samantha Mendez, Rhymney Valley Express

THE Bomb Squad was called out last week when operators at Ffos-y-Fran unearthed a mortar bomb.

Workers discovered the device at the screening area of the opencast scheme, between Merthyr and Fochriw, last Thursday and it was immediately cordoned off.

Work stopped at the site while Miller Argent waited for the Bomb Squad to arrive.

The Bomb Squad, or Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit (EOD), from Hereford arrived at 7pm to investigate the device.

The team carried out a controlled detonation after being uncertain as to whether the device was live or a dummy.

Site manager Rob Jones said it “looked suspicious” and was between 12 to 15 inches in length.

He added: “Two officers from the Bomb Squad arrived on site with their equipment, and we took them down to the cordoned off area. They couldn’t decide if it was live or a dummy because of the deterioration.”

The bomb was found just before 3pm as workers screened soil which had been excavated from the old Tip 13, which ran along the A4060 road.

The screening site is just 300 metres away from the Bogey Road and about one kilometre away from the nearest home.

The team carried out a controlled detonation at 7.30pm on site, and waited about five minutes before inspecting the device.

Mr Jones added the officers believed the bomb was made between 1935 and 1950 due to its size.

“It’s good that we carried out reclamation on that area because that bomb could have been close to the surface,” he said.

Chief Inspector Ian Belshaw said: “A bomb was uncovered – it appeared to be a small bomb. It was dug up on the site where excavation was being carried out, and it was transported to another part of the site where material was being screened.

“Because of the location there was no danger to any roads.”

Work was resumed at the screening site the following day.