---
title: "Mine Water Monitoring Borehole"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06611a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06611a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06611a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06611a.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "MINING REMEDIATION AUTHORITY"
published: "2026-03-03"
---

# Mine Water Monitoring Borehole

Buyer: MINING REMEDIATION AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06611a

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## Summary

The Mining Remediation Authority is overseeing a tender process titled "Mine Water Monitoring Borehole," focused on developing a monitoring borehole at Pelton Colliery, County Durham. The procurement falls under the category of test drilling and boring work within the 'works' main procurement category. This initiative aims to address a data gap in mine water monitoring infrastructure in the Central Durham South block. The process is currently in the planning stage, with significant dates outlined: the tender publication and advertisement scheduled for June 2026, followed by evaluation in July 2026, and award decisions expected in early August 2026. The contract period is set for 4th September to 27th November 2026, with operations expected by October/early November. Interested parties are encouraged to attend a site visit on 31st March 2026 to explore engagement opportunities.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses in the test drilling and boring industry, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises capable of delivering specialised solutions for borehole construction and monitoring. The procurement method highlights opportunities for contractors to select their methodologies to meet project requirements, fostering innovation and cost efficiency. Businesses with experience in geological assessment, borehole construction, and environmental monitoring will be well-suited to compete. The Mining Remediation Authority emphasises the importance of risk mitigation and optimisation in project delivery, seeking feedback on the proposed pilot hole methodology, which allows for adjustments in drilling strategies. Companies that engage can benefit from ongoing collaboration and streamlined project execution, contributing to proactive environmental management strategies in the region.

## Notice

Background The Mining Remediation Authority has identified a gap in mine water level data within the Central Durham South block, particularly in the area linking to the Central Durham North block. Detailed studies carried out in 2020 and 2022 confirmed hydraulic connectivity between the Central Durham South, Central Durham North, and Lumley mine water blocks. Rising mine water levels present a potential environmental risk and require proactive management through effective pumping strategies and continuous monitoring. Currently, the north/northeast section of Central Durham South-especially around Chester-Le-Street-lacks adequate monitoring infrastructure. This data gap restricts our ability to make informed decisions on pumping operations and long-term water management strategies. To address this, the Mining Remediation Authority proposes constructing a single monitoring borehole at Pelton Colliery. This borehole will intersect flooded underground workings and deliver real-time data to support effective management.

### Planning Information

Location / access
Pelton Fell is a residential area in County Durham, located near Chester-le-Street. The proposed drilling site (image 1) is situated within Pelton Colliery Park, which is an open public space on a gentle slope. There is currently no dropped kerb at the location. Access to the proposed site would need to be taken via Pelton Fell Road, images 2 & 3.
Key Requirements
The Contractor will be responsible for specific construction details to achieve the borehole requirements, as specified below 
Summary of key requirements 
Operational time: By October / early November 2026 
Methodology: To be selected by the contractor to meet the target 
requirements. 
Borehole depth: 65-75m 
Final internal diameter: 100 mm 
Borehole deviation: 3 degrees 
Design life: Minimum of 20 years 
Headwork: To be completed under a square split lockable manhole cover at surface, minimum of 1000mm x 1000mm with D400 rating. Minimum of 200 mm between base of cover and top of casing Chamber must be between 0.5 and 1.0 m total depth.
Indicative Geology
The planed borehole is situated on the Pennine Middle Coal measures (PMCM). The Coal Measures strata are overlain by made ground and superficial deposits, likely comprised of colliery spoil and weathered bedrock.
The borehole is to be drilled to intersect coal mine workings in the Low Main (K) Seam. (the 'target') of the former Pelton Fell Colliery.
Permits / Land Agreements
The proposed borehole will be drilled within a managed, open space park owned and maintained by Durham County Council. To proceed, the Mining Remediation Authority must agree on Heads of Terms and secure a licence from the council. This licence will be formally executed and available prior to site mobilisation.
The project qualifies as permitted development; therefore, formal planning permission is not required. As the works involve only below-ground infrastructure, no additional rights or permits are required from the local council.
Programme
The current Programme is estimated to run to the following timescales, with an ambition to complete the Borehole by FY 26 /27.
1. Tender Publish / Advert June 2026
2. Evaluation July 2026
3. Award Early August 2026
4. Mobilisation on site Early September 2026
5. Drilling & Construction Mid-September 2026
6. Completion October / Early November 2026
Engagement Opportunities
The Mining Remediation Authority is committed to continuous improvement in project delivery and risk management. Based on previous experience, one effective method has been to drill a pilot hole using a wireline coring system to maintain borehole verticality. This approach provides an opportunity to confirm geological conditions before committing to full-scale drilling.
The pilot hole method mitigates this risk by offering flexibility to adjust and re-drill to an alternative target with minimal additional cost.
We welcome your feedback on this proposed methodology or any alternative strategies that could further reduce risk and optimize cost efficiency for borehole construction.
Site Visit
Date and time of the Visit: Tuesday 31st March 2026 at 11.00am
Site address: Pelton Fell, Chester-le-Street, DH2 2BN (nearest post code)
Please confirm your interest in attending the site visit to email: satty.malhi@miningremediation.gov.uk
Mining Remediation Authority contacts:
• Satty Malhi Project Manager 07827 473955
• Sean Burke Senior Hydrogeologist 07826 908730

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019033-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 29 May 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 3 Sep 2026 - 27 Nov 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £150,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINING REMEDIATION AUTHORITY |
| Locality | NOTTINGHAMSHIRE |
| Post town | Nottingham |
| Postcode | NG18 4RG |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLF East Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire |
| ITL 3 | TLF15 North Nottinghamshire |
| Local authority | Mansfield |
| Electoral ward | Berry Hill |
| Westminster constituency | Mansfield |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work

### Codes

- 45120000 - Test drilling and boring work

## Release History

- 3 Mar 2026 at 14:40 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019033-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019033-2026
  3rd March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06611a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06611a.json.