A NEW surface coal mine is creating up to 50 jobs as it begins operating over the next six months.

The 154 hectare Rusha site, near Breich, West Lothian, is being run by Banks Mining with initial excavations planned to take place in the summer followed by the first extractions in the autumn.

The company expects to contribute around £5 million a year to the local economy through wages and supply chain contracts over a seven-year period.

(Sourced from www.heraldscotland.com)