Buyer wanted for Scottish Coal business
A special task force set up to deal with the Scottish Coal closure staged its first meeting on Monday amid demands for the Scottish Government to take action to establish who will foot the bill for pollution caused by abandoned mines.
Chaired by energy minister Fergus Ewing, the cross-party Scottish Open Cast Mining Taskforce will aim to “maintain a sustainable Scottish coal industry” by working closely with councils, landowners and communities.
A Scottish Mines Restoration Trust has also been launched to oversee clear-up operations at disused mines.
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Hide AdIt is hoped that this Trust will in turn help to create many new jobs.
The Taskforce is to ask Scottish Coal’s liquidator to try to find a single, well-financed buyer for the firm’s former assets.
It is hoped that this will protect the environment and safeguard future employment.
For more details, see this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette.