Banks Mining lodge Spireslack restoration proposal
Plans submitted with restoration of adjacent Ponesk site currently ahead of schedule
THE restoration of a former East Ayrshire surface coal mine is a step closer following the submission of a restoration plan by Banks Mining.
The firm, which has an office in Hamilton, has lodged its restoration proposal with East Ayrshire Council, outlining its ambitions for the Spireslack site, which has remained unrestored since it was abandoned when former operators Scottish Coal went into administration in early 2013.
If approved, work at Spireslack would start upon completion of the restoration of the adjacent Ponesk surface mine, another major transformation project that is also being undertaken by Banks Mining.
That project, which is running ahead of schedule and could yet be completed by the end of this summer, has seen the mining operator receive vocal praise from a wide range of local politicians from across the political spectrum.
Jim Donnelly, operations director at Banks Mining, is delighted with the progress at Ponesk and hopeful that the firm will be given the opportunity to finally restore Spireslack.
‘For the local community, Spireslack is an unfortunate reminder of Scottish Coal’s legacy and they simply want to see the land returned to its previous state,’ he said.
‘Unfortunately, a lack of funding precludes a complete restoration but, similar to Ponesk, we have designed a scheme to provide maximum improvements from the limited resource available.
‘It would also allow us to offer continued employment, as we would look to deploy the team of around 15 highly skilled and experienced restoration experts who have worked hard to transform conditions at Ponesk – while drawing plaudits for their methods of working.’
The restoration project has been designed to maximize opportunities for the future use of the site and will see the creation of a new landscape that is in keeping with the local area by reshaping Spireslack’s steep-sided mounds, sharp gradients and wide terraces.
The Scottish Mines Restoration Trust (SMRT), an independent non-profit making organization, was established to help facilitate the process of communities and other stakeholders in restoring abandoned opencast coal sites across Scotland, and to bring together viable restoration plans for them.
SMRT chairman Prof. Russel Griggs said: ‘This development is a significant step forward in the restoration of the Spireslack site. Since the site was left abandoned following the collapse of Scottish Coal, we have been at the core of the restoration planning process, working with all stakeholders involved to find solutions to the challenges this site presents to the surrounding community.
‘Banks Mining have a fantastic track record of delivering restoration projects – as is evidenced by their work on the Ponesk site – and the developments at Spireslack will be carried out in a way that will maximize opportunities for community use.
‘We look forward to working with Banks to further implement a pragmatic and innovative approach to the restoration of the site.’
Jim Donnelly added: ‘Issues surrounding the restoration of abandoned surface mine sites across Scotland remain big news, especially in the areas where these sites are located. I grew up in this part of Ayrshire and am particularly proud of the work we are doing to finally return this land to the local community.’
