Progress is being made to restore two west Fife opencast sites.
But Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley is calling for even greater transparency over plans for their future.
Mr Rowley joined Councillor Bob Young, Fife Council’s representative on the Scottish Coal taskforce, on a fact-finding visit to St Ninian’s opencast mine near Kelty.
They met representatives of Hargreaves Surface Mining to discuss progress on the restoration of both the St Ninian’s site and the Muirdean mine on the outskirts of Crossgates.
After the visit, Mr Rowley said both sites were making good progress, given the situation that was left when the companies operating them went bust.
“The insurance bonds have provided a degree of security that will ensure the restoration proposals that have been developed will be able to be carried out,” he said.
“I am also pleased that employment opportunities have been created in the process.”
However, the Labour MSP is now pressing for a greater level of transparency around the restoration plans and is asking the company and the council to provide more information to the public.
He said the company has responded and that it would be supportive of holding an open day later in the summer so that people can view the restoration plans, see how the work is being carried out and the timelines for completion of the sites.
Mr Young agreed that progress is being made, saying: “The coal industry is going through a difficult time and we have been more fortunate than many areas impacted by the demise of two large coal companies in that bonds were in place.
“There are still challenges, however, and I am continuing to work with council officers to ensure we can achieve the best result possible given the circumstances.
“And I am committed to working with the company to make sure we are able to engage with local people ensuring they are up-to-date on all the issues and progress.”