Scottish coal mine supports local business
Published by Jonathan Rowland,
Editor
World Coal,
The Rusha opencast mine in West Lothian, Scotland, is providing a substantial boost to the local economy with its owner, Banks Mining, revealing it is spending close to £4 million/yr with Scottish central belt suppliers.
The Hamilton based company has been operating at the Rusha site since 2012, as part of a seven-year project to extract coal from the site. The coal extracted from Rusha is used for industrial, domestic and coal-fired power generation in both Scotland and England.
As part of the substantial local investment, a contract has been in place with Broxburn-based mechanics J and J McIndoe, who regularly service the four onsite Land Rovers and a Toyota pickup – which face a much tougher life than normal road based vehicles.
The “well-worked” vehicles are subjected to gruelling conditions in the operational opencast mine, with rough terrain and the carrying of heavy loads proving a constant test.
“This is our first time working with a mining company,” said Maureen McIndoe, a member of the family business, at the West Lothian garage. “The Rusha vehicles require very regular maintenance – they come in every 4 – 6 weeks for brake checks, etc., and are serviced quarterly. This provides our garage with a substantial amount of work. It’s crucial to have work like this as it provides job security and a base for the business.”
She added: “It’s great to see a business invest in West Lothian and commit to using local business to such an extent. We are 100% supportive of the work by Banks Mining at Rusha – and hope to see our working relationship continue until the site is completed.”
Such local support is important for the mine, according to Jim Donnelly, Banks Mining Director. “We are delighted that Maureen McIndoe has publically expressed her support for our operations here at Rusha,” said Donnelly. “We have always been intent on using local suppliers whenever possible and our annual spend with suppliers in the central belt of Scotland is around £3.8 million ”
Written by Jonathan Rowland.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/mining/20022015/scottish-coal-mine-supports-local-business-1936/
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