Dunfermline Press | Opinion | Mining techniques have moved on

Thursday, 4th December, 2008

Published: Monday, 4th August, 2008 14:50

Mining techniques have moved on

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COULD someone please move Mr Brian Macfarlane into the 21st century (last week’s letter).

I don’t know what sort of indignities Mr Macfarlane suffered underground but modern deep mining is more like operating a hi-tech computer system than the pick-and-shovel images he describes.

Sure, men have suffered in the past and some continue to do so. They should be helped in all possible ways. However, techniques have moved on with extremely high attention to health and safety. Why else are many former mineworkers of all kinds (and even new entrants) welcoming the possibility of mining again?

Mr Macfarlane is wrong about enough coal being available from other sources. Opencast is certainly not adequate long-term or environmentally desirable, plus how long are other countries willing to supply us when China and India will pay even more?

Our Scottish coal reserves are a valuable and secure source of fuel for electricity generation. We should mine it in the safest way and burn it in the cleanest manner to safeguard our future as part of a Scottish energy mix.

Steve Hossack,

14 The Latch,

Cairneyhill.

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