Operators Hargreaves are in charge of seven opencast mines in Scotland, including St Ninians at Kelty and Muir Dean near Crossgates. In their interim results published last week they announced that they will cut down on the planned production of coal at its sites by half in the year to May 2016 after facing difficulties in reduced demand and falling coal prices.

The report admitted that the falling coal price and reduced coal burn would likely have a “significant and material impact” on the business and if prices and demand remain low, it could be “the most challenging period the Group has experienced”.

However, Hargreaves insists that it is “well-placed to weather this period of extreme volatility” and a spokesperson told the Press that there would be no adverse affects on the Fife sites adding, “It’s business as usual at St Ninians and Muir Dean.” The announcement comes soon after the news of Hargreaves’ appeal to the UK Government to obtain an extension to the Carbon Price Support (CPS) exemption scheme, which would allow the business to mine abandoned opencast sites without having to pay the CPS tax. Exemption currently only applies to coal slurry, the sludge-like waste usually found in abandoned colliery spoil tips but Hargreaves argues that if it was extended, it would allow all abandoned coal sites in Scotland to be restored.

The proposal has already been backed by MSPs Alex Rowley and Willie Rennie and Mr Rennie is also calling for the Scottish Government to help.

“Opencast mining communities across Scotland continue to feel the effects of the Scottish Government’s cavalier approach to the industry,” he said. “Instead of recklessly promoting the exploitation of new opencast mines, the Scottish Government should have focused on a plan to restore the failed sites that are already blighting our countryside.

“The financial and environmental cost of the failures of the industry and the planning system are high. I am exploring the possibility of support from the UK Government for a CPS Exemption Scheme to restore the orphan sites which are blighted by barren land and polluted water. However, the Scottish Government needs to contribute towards the clear-up too rather than always passing the buck to someone else.”