Brussels, 18/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday the European Commission authorised EUR 9 million in state aid in the UK for eight coal mines as operating aid to cover operating losses in 2001 and also from 1 January 2002 to 23 July 2002. This aid will help make the mines competitive, in order to be in a position to continue functioning without public subsidies after 2002. Technical reports by an independent expert commissioned by the UK concluded that the planned aid would make it possible to achieve economic viability. The mines in question are Tower Colliery (owned by Tower Colliery Ltd), Scotland (owned by Hall Construction Services Ltd), New Albion OCCS (owned by Hall Construction Services Ltd), Nantyglo OCCS (owned by F. Parnell Ltd), Elwyn Mining Complex (owned by Merthyr Mining Co Ltd), Blaentillery No. 2 (owned by Blaentillery Mining Ltd), Eckington Colliery (owned by Moorside Mining Co Ltd) and Nant-hir No.2 (owned by M. & W. A. (Anthracite) Ltd).