Brussels, 15/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - On a proposal by Commissioner Loyola de Palacio, responsible for Energy and Transport, the European Commission has authorised the United Kingdom to grant £59 million in aid to the operation of the coal industry. This amount will be distributed between six coal production units: "Mathby" (RJB Mining Plc group) to the tune of £13.560 million; "Rossington" (RJP) to the tune of £3.207 million; "Harworth" (RJB), to the tune of £14.722 million); "Selby" (RJB) to the tune of £23.187 million; "Hatfield" (Hatfield Coal Company Ltd group), to the tune of £3.932 million; "Blenkinsopp" (Blenkinsopp Collieries Ltd group) to the tune of £0.470 million. The financial measures have as aim to cover operating losses due to the gap between the cost of production and the sales price of coal on the world market for the period ranging from 17 April to 31 December 2000. They will enable the beneficiaries to begin a recovery by improving their economic viability and continue their activities after the year 2002, without further financial support from the public authorities.