The Union of Democratic Mineworkers has urged the Government to apply for State Aid which will see Thoresby Colliery stay open for another four years.
Despite its long history, high productivity and its potential ability to produce coal until 2018, owner UK Coal is seeking a deal with the Government for £10m for a controlled closure of the pit and another pit at Kellingley in Yorkshire.
It would see the Edwinstowe pit gradually closed over the next 18 months.
But if a deal cannot be found to secure its gradual closure, the colliery could shut down "straight away", resulting in a loss of 600 jobs at the Thoresby site.
The Union of Democratic Mineworkers is urging the Government to apply to the European Commission for State Aid, which would see the colliery stay open until at least 2018.
Jeff Wood, president of the union, told Sunday Politics East Midlands: "All we keep hearing at the moment from the Department of Climate and Energy Change is we can't apply for this reason, we can't apply for that reason.
"We have been to Brussels with other trade unions this week and that have made it quite clear that the Government can apply for State Aid, they just need to put in the application."
The National Union of Mineworkers is also calling on the Government to apply for State Aid, as previously reported in the Post.
Mick Newton, former chairman of the NUM branch at the pit, said: "I am stunned because there is years' worth of coal left underground.
"The money that it would take to keep it open is nothing compared to the devastation caused by the closure.
"It is crazy to turn our backs on the coal industry when energy supplies are becoming shorter and shorter."
What do you think? Tell us below
