Operations
Operations are at the heart of Scottish Coal as a business. Using best-in-class experience, our staff mine each site efficiently, safely and considerately.
The health and safety of our workforce and the public are key priorities throughout the operational stage and we work hard to protect our staff through ongoing training and monitoring.
How is Coal Extracted?
In simple terms, the extraction of coal is facilitated by the careful and selective removal of topsoil and subsoil which is stored in temporary mounds around the site. The solid strata (overburden) which overlies each coal seam is them removed and either stored in a temporary location or is used to progressively backfill the excavation. Restoration of the site is broadly a reverse of this.
The success of the operation depends on the efficiency with which the various natural materials can be removed and replaced. Other than for maintenance activities, few operations involve manual labour. Large hydraulic excavators to dig the 'rock' and large dump trucks to move it away from the coal and fill in the resultant excavations.
The Extraction Process
Having secured the site, the infrastructure is installed which consists of access, services, office accommodation, maintenance facilities and whole range of measures to meet environmental control and other obligations.
Soils are carefully removed and stored
In order to increase efficiency and reduce wear and tear, blasting may be employed to break up particularly hard layers of rock.
Once the overburden is removed from above each seam, smaller excavators clean the seam of remaining materials and lift the coal.
Permissible hours of operation are set by the Planning Authority.
Coal Preparation
Each coal seam has different qualities and in order to meet the specific contractual specifications of each customer, various seams need to be prepared and blended.
Coal Transportation to Customer
Wherever it is practical to do so, coal is transported from site, or regional railhead, direct to the customer by rail. The Group currently operates three rail loading terminals.
In some locations, and for some customers, road transport is necessary and may be either direct from site or from the regional facility.
Operational Controls
Site management is supported by specialist staff within the Group to manage and control all aspects of the operations on a day to day basis - Health and Safety being of paramount importance.
Compliance with both statutory regulations, and the objective to further improve on such standards, is achieved on such matters as noise, dust, vibration, emissions, visual amenity and water discharges.
