Member Article

Banks Mining awarded major coal mine contract

Family-owned North East mining firm, Banks Mining, has won a contract to carry out maintenance work on the site of a former coal surface mine in South Lanarkshire.

Banks has been appointed by Mines Restoration Limited (MRL) to carry out the work at the Mainshill Surface Mine, which is located to the east of the town of Douglas, alongside the A70.

The Mainshill site has not been mined since former operators Scottish Coal went into administration last year.

A Banks team, of 7 staff, are now undertaking a programme of works on site and are expected to be at Mainshill for around eight weeks.

Banks Mining, founded in County Durham in 1976, has operated and restored over 100 surface mines across Scotland and the north of England, acquiring experience of carrying out the type of work required at Mainshill.

Banks currently operates the Rusha surface mine in West Lothian and was also responsible for the development of the Northumberlandia landform, fashioned using 1.5 million tonnes of carefully selected stone, clay and soil.

MRL acquired the remaining seven Scottish Coal sites in July this year following the transfer of environmental licences by SEPA.

The company is now engaging with local authorities, landowners and community groups to discuss and develop pragmatic restoration plans for each of the sites.

Divisional director at Banks Mining, Jim Donnelly, said: “Issues surrounding the maintenance of former surface mine sites across Scotland have come to real prominence in recent months, and the work we’re undertaking at Mainshill will ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained.

“Our team is highly experienced in carrying out this type of work, and being chosen by Mines Restoration Limited to carry it out is pleasing recognition of the expertise that we have to offer in this field.”