Brussels, 10/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has authorised operating aid that the United Kingdom was proposing to grant to six coal collieries. The aid in question will cover the difference between the cost of production and the sales price for the period between 24 July and 31 December 2002 inclusive, in the aim of allowing the coalmines to improve their profitability by cutting production costs. The Commission studied the aid in question and reached the conclusion that it was conform to the aim of the modernisation, rationalisation and restructuring plan presented by the United Kingdom, and approved until December 2002.