THE former Scottish Coal mine on the outskirts of Kelty is close to being fully restored after operators confirmed that the excavation of the coal has been completed.

The first coal was dug from St Ninians almost 20 years ago, and now the opencast site will be transformed by operators Hargreaves, who are in charge of restoration efforts. Loose surface footpaths and grass routes will allow public access across the area, and mixed woodland restoration will sit alongside the existing trees.

Graeme Hindmarsh, production director for Hargreaves Surface Mining, said, “We are progressing well at St Ninians and we are now in the final phase of the restoration of the site.

“Over one million m³ of material has been moved as part of the restoration programme and over 50 hectares of land have been seeded and already showing signs of growth. The final completion of the restoration is now weather dependent, but we remain on course to deliver the plan agreed with Fife Council.” Dunfermline MSP Cara Hilton and MP Thomas Docherty visited the site along with Lochs councillor Alex Campbell, who was pleased with the progress. “I visited the site last Tuesday and met with officials who told me that they had finished excavating and were now doing restoration work,” he said. “They are expecting to have it completed by the end of the year, weather permitting. There have been complications at the site in the past, with Scottish Coal going into liquidation, but it’s good to see things taking shape.”