Talks over future of Unity Mine after it enters administration 11 October 2013 Last updated at 07:59 Managers and workers at Wales' largest mine are meeting to discuss their options after its owners announced they were filing for administration. The future of the Unity Mine, a drift mine near Neath, has been uncertain after management said they only had work for 66 of its 220 staff. Director Richard Nugent said the firm was "forced into the process of filing for administration." The workforce is being kept on but it is hoped the mine has a future. We believe there's at least 10, 15, 20 years work here. We believe those reserves are attainable End Quote Wayne Thomas National Union of Mineworkers Wayne Thomas from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), said: "I think many people who know the investment to date and the infrastructure of the coal mine and certainly those who are aware of the potential reserves for this mine, they would know there's a future for this mine. We believe those reserves are attainable. I'm convinced in my mind that a solution can be resolved in the longer term and the sooner we get to that the better. In recent months, the miners were told there was not enough work for everyone. It was seen as a way of safeguarding the pit's future, but it is understood some workers have had to leave their jobs and taken up posts as far as way as Kent and Manchester. A meeting is due to take place with the mine's 22 apprentices later and the entire workforce will meet next week as administrators are appointed. Blaengwrach community councillor John Price, who sits on the Unity liaison committee, said the announcement was "devastating." "It was a big shock, make no mistake about that," he told BBC Radio Wales. Fallen over backwards If they can get more investment or be taken over on a buy-out it will be an excellent thing for us End Quote John Price Community councillor We fully expected it to carry on, on a limited scale until the situation with coal sales improved and then it would revert to normal. But it doesn't look as if it's going to go that way now. He added: "If they can get more investment or be taken over on a buy-out it will be an excellent thing for us. Our MP [Peter Hain] has fallen over backwards in getting licences and planning permissions hurried through Neath Port Talbot council for Unity mine because they applied to work on opencast on top of the mountain to help out with coal coming down from there. Apparently that is all systems go now but then comes along this announcement and it's devastating. Meanwhile, Welsh government officials are continuing to hold talks with the mine's management to try to find a solution.