Abandoned mine takes on a new shape
Praise from homeowners
Works to reclaim an abandoned mine are under way, set to transform a scarred, barren piece of Ayrshire countryside.
The Ponesk surface mine, near Muirkirk, was abandoned when Scottish Coal plunged into administration in 2013.
Now the Banks Mining team are six months into a restoration project that will see the area return to safe and accessible land.
Homeowners near the eyesore mine site have heaped praise on the work, as they begin to see the hill transformed.
Ian Ramsey and Lise Bech, who live in the nearest house to the site, said: “We want to say how impressed we are with the progress of the work of reshaping and covering the site.
“It’s not often in living up here that we have felt grateful or impressed at what has happened opposite.”
Politicians also lined up to congratulate Banks Mining and the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust for the progress on the Ponesk works.
Jeane Freeman, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, said: “I share the concern and upset of many people who live here about the safety and visual impact of abandoned surface mines in Ayrshire.
“When the restoration is completed, the site will have a range of new wildlife habitats and a number of new accessible paths to provide public access.
“All of this has also provided job opportunities for local people, and that is welcome.”
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock added: “Following the demise of Scottish Coal a number of surface mine sites were abandoned in East Ayrshire. Some were left not only in an unattractive state but in a dangerous one.
“Scottish politicians of all sides have been very concerned about this for some years, so naturally I am pleased that Banks Mining is working with the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust to make safe and restore the Ponesk site.”
Work on the site began in July last year and was originally expected to be completed by summer 2018 however work is moving so quickly the job is expected to be completed ahead of schedule.
Restoration of the neighbouring Spireslack mine site is scheduled to start once the Ponesk project has been completed.