An independent inquiry must be held into the handling of failed open cast mines clean-ups, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader has said.
Willie Rennie challenged First Minister Alex Salmond over the issue, saying the mines have left communities such as those in Fife “environmentally bankrupt”, while firms have made millions of pounds.
Although restoration bonds are supposed to cover the cost of repairing damage caused by mining, he said local authorities such as Fife and East Ayrshire face shortfalls.
“Communities have endured years of dust, noise and heavy transport and they now fear a legacy of derelict sights, polluted water and starved landscapes,” Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mr Rennie said.
Mr Salmond said he was “extremely sympathetic on the issue” and pointed to work being done by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing to save jobs and support local authorities through the Scottish Open Cast Mining Taskforce.
He also claimed the problem could be tackled under independence.
Mr Salmond added: “If we are going to pursue an industry that could leave people with such environmental damage, we must have an environmental framework that makes sure that the funds to restore sites are independent of the corporate entity. I look forward to the member and me drafting such legislation when this Parliament has the powers to do it.”