Scottish Coal wants to return to deep coal mining

The company said new clean-coal technology could lead it to exploit the vast reserves of coal in Scotland.

Scottish Coal said it had identified a site in the West of Scotland which could supply Longannet power station in Fife for at least 80 years.

But it does not want to develop mines if they do not have a long-term future.

Scotland's last underground mine closed in 2002.

Since then all coal mined in Scotland has been from open-cast sites.

Clean coal technology means deep coal, which has a high sulphur content and would normally create too much pollution, can once again be used in Scottish power plants.

Energy supply

On Thursday, Scottish Power said Scotland's two coal-fired power stations could be converted to clean coal technology.

It said the scheme would cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at the two stations by a fifth.

First Minister Alex Salmond met company bosses at Longannet to discuss the plans.

He said: "If we can reduce carbon emissions, coal can play a vital role in giving Scotland the diversity of energy sources which is essential for security of energy supply."

Mr Salmond's visit came the day after the government at Westminster unveiled its energy white paper.

It backed renewable energy and efficiency measures - but said the "preliminary view" supported more nuclear plants.