Banks Mining set to restore Spireslack site
Workforce from successful Ponesk restoration scheme to carry out similar project at Spireslack surface mine
WORK to restore land at the abandoned Spireslack surface coal mine, in East Ayrshire, will commence in the coming weeks, employing the same 15-strong team that is currently finishing off a similar project at the former Ponesk surface mine for Banks Mining.
The contract, on behalf of East Ayrshire Council and the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust (SMRT), will see continued employment for Banks’ predominantly local workforce, who will move on to the new project following the transformation of the Ponesk site.
As well as sustaining the local jobs and providing opportunities for local firms to bid for works associated with the main restoration work, the project will benefit the local community with visual and safety improvements to the abandoned mine, which was left derelict after Scottish Coal went into administration in April 2013.
Jim Donnelly, operations director at Banks Mining, said: ‘We will strive to deliver the Spireslack contract in a safe, responsible and efficient manner, to produce the same excellent results we have seen at Ponesk with the same highly skilled team.
‘The work to be carried out at Spireslack will transform an area that has been a blot on the landscape, and a reminder of Scottish Coal’s legacy, into a more natural landform that reflects the natural beauty of its surroundings.
‘The restoration has been designed so that once the work has been completed it will provide the basis for a variety of potential future uses, including access by the local community.’
More than 5.5 million tonnes of rock and soil were re-profiled to restore the Ponesk site, and it is estimated that around 1.2 million tonnes will be re-profiled for the restoration of Spireslack.
The SMRT – set up as an independent, non-profit-making organization to facilitate the restoration of abandoned opencast coal sites – will work alongside Banks Mining on the project.
SMRT chairman Professor Russel Griggs OBE said: ‘We’re pleased to be moving forward with Banks Mining on the continued restoration of the Spireslack site. We worked in partnership with Banks on the Ponesk site, so we know that there’s a strong team in place that will complete the work to a very high standard.
‘Our objective has always been to work with all of the stakeholders involved in an opencast project to find a pragmatic solution to the problems posed by the site. We’re looking forward to progressing with that solution in partnership with Banks.’
