Costs guide
Mining Search Cost UK (2026)
Updated 11 June 2026
A mining search costs around £30 to £60 in 2026 and is ordered by your solicitor when a property sits in a former coal mining area or other mining region. The Coal Authority CON29M search checks for old mine workings, shafts, subsidence claims and ground stability beneath the property. It is added to the standard search pack only where the location calls for it, so many buyers never need one.
Mining search costs in context (UK, 2026)
| Search | Typical cost | When ordered |
|---|---|---|
| Coal mining search (CON29M) | £30 to £60 | Coalfield areas |
| Non-coal mining search (tin, clay, brine) | £30 to £90 | Relevant mining regions |
| Environmental search (incl. ground stability) | £40 to £70 | Most purchases |
| Full conveyancing search pack | £250 to £450 | Most purchases |
What a mining search is
A mining search is a report on past and present mining activity beneath and around a property. The most common is the coal mining search, the CON29M, provided by the Coal Authority. Other regions have their own searches for tin, clay, limestone, brine and metalliferous mining.
Your solicitor orders it as an add-on to the standard search pack, but only where the property's location flags a mining risk. In a former coalfield it is effectively standard; outside mining areas it is usually not needed at all.
What a mining search shows
- Recorded coal mine workings, shafts and adits beneath or near the property.
- Past, present and proposed mining in the area.
- Any subsidence damage claims and whether they were settled.
- Ground stability and the risk of future movement.
- Whether the property is in a development high-risk area requiring further investigation.
How to tell if your property needs a mining search
The simplest test is location. Large parts of the Midlands, the North East, Yorkshire, South Wales, the North West, Scotland's central belt and Kent sit over former coalfields. If a property is in one of these, expect a coal mining search to be ordered.
You do not have to wait for your solicitor to find out. A pre-offer property check flags whether an address sits in a coal mining area, so you know in advance whether a mining search, and the small risk of subsidence issues, is in play.
Is a mining search worth it?
Where it applies, yes. At £30 to £60 it is one of the cheapest searches, and mortgage lenders expect it in coalfield areas. A clear result is reassuring; a flagged result lets you investigate ground stability before you are committed.
Old mine workings can cause subsidence that is expensive to remediate and can affect what a property is worth and whether it is insurable. Finding out for £30 to £60 before exchange is far cheaper than discovering it afterwards.
Check coal mining risk for free before you pay
HomeBuyerCheck's free report shows the basics for any UK address. The £4.99 Premium report adds a coal mining area flag, ground stability and radon risk from official data, listed and conservation status, ownership from HM Land Registry and an AI buyer's verdict.
Running that pre-offer tells you whether mining is even a factor at the address, so you only commit to the search pack, and the small extra mining search fee, on a property you intend to buy.
Check any UK property before you offer
Free instant report; Premium from £4.99 adds ownership, ground risk and AI buyer's verdict.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mining search cost in the UK?
A coal mining search (CON29M) costs around £30 to £60 in 2026. Non-coal mining searches for tin, clay or brine areas can be £30 to £90. It is added to the standard search pack only in relevant mining areas.
Do I need a mining search?
Only if the property sits in a former mining area, most commonly a coalfield. Your solicitor will order one automatically where the location calls for it. Outside mining regions it is usually not needed.
How do I know if my property is in a coal mining area?
Location is the key. You can check for free with HomeBuyerCheck: the £4.99 Premium report flags whether an address sits in a coal mining area and shows ground stability and subsidence risk before you pay for searches.
What is the difference between a mining search and an environmental search?
A mining search (£30 to £60) focuses specifically on mine workings, shafts and mining subsidence. An environmental search (£40 to £70) covers broader ground stability, contamination and flood risk. In mining areas you typically need both.
Can old mining cause problems when buying a house?
Yes. Old mine workings can cause subsidence that affects a property's value and insurability. A mining search identifies the risk for £30 to £60, far less than the cost of discovering it after you have bought.
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