THE coal industry in Fife has reached a considerable milestone as coal from the local St Ninian’s and Muir Dean surface mines is again being utilised at Scottish Power’s Longannet Power Station.

Now operated by Hargreaves Surface Mining Limited (HSML), operations at the region’s two surface mines recommenced late last year and are both now making an important contribution to Longannet’s coal requirements.

HSML took over the operation of Muir Dean and St Ninian’s following the collapse of ATH and Scottish Coal last summer and have worked quickly and efficiently to re-establish the workforce and coal production, while delivering site restoration.

Peter Gillatt, Managing Director for Hargreaves Surface Mining Limited said, “Providing Fife coal for Fife’s generating station is a huge boost for the area and the wider Scottish coal industry.

“We’ve had a number of steps to overcome after such a major upheaval but the support of companies like Scottish Power, show that coal still has a very important part to play.” Derek Whitelaw, UK Domestic Coal & Logistics Manager at Scottish Power said, “The new agreement with Hargreaves for domestic coal supplies to Longannet Power Station provides additional diversity to our coal supply portfolio.” Hargreaves Surface Mining Limited is now on course to employ over 500 skilled workers throughout Scotland, in less than 12 months since taking over the former Scottish Coal and ATH Resources sites at Kelty and Crossgates.

Dunfermline and West Fife MP, Thomas Docherty said, “I have consistently argued that coal can be a key part of our energy mix over the coming decades.

“Many constituents either work at or have a family connection to Muir Dean and St Ninian’s and it is a big vote of confidence in West Fife’s workforce that Fife coal is powering Scotland once again,”