MINERS at the Greenburn surface mine near New Cumnock have been left fearing for their jobs after it was announced the site is up for sale.

Kier mining - who own the complex - confirmed this week that they are looking for buyers for the site near New Cumnock, meaning that workers fear being ‘shafted’ according to one miner.

The Chronicle received a phone call from one disgruntled worker, who asked not to be named, who said: “We have been told almost nothing. We just wish Kier would give us our packages and let us be made redundant rather than being shafted by any new owners who come in and move us all over under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment).” Should a new owner for Greenburn be found, employees could be subject to TUPE - an employment regulation which protects employment rights when employees transfer from one business to another.

They added: “It’s an absolute tragedy if East Ayrshire and the government let Kier sell up and walk away. It would be undoing all the good work Kier have done.” In January, Kier announced that it was reviewing operations at the site, leaving staff fearful over the futures. The firm put all of its staff at the site on notice and stopped all coal extraction, only sending out the coal stockpiled on site until March.

A Kier Mining spokesperson this week said: “Kier’s mining operation has played an integral role in the local community. However, the group also has a commercial obligation to evaluate all of its operations against financial criteria, wider strategic fit and the longer term interests of the business being sold. We believe it is the right time for the group to look to sell this operation; allowing a potential buyer, who may have more focus or specialism in this area, to take the business forward.” The council have already contacted Kier to discuss their intentions for the site as well as any potential buyers.

Operations Manager for East Ayrshire Council, David McDowall said: “We have met with Kier Mining to discuss its mining operations at Greenburn and their plans for sale. We understand that discussions are currently ongoing with a potential buyer. Should the sale proceed, we will require any new buyer to agree the appropriate financial guarantees for each part of the mining and restoration operation along with the revisions to the Section 75 legal agreements which accompany the planning permissions.” Recently elected Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP, Corri Wilson weighed in, saying: "This news is very worrying. Kier have worked hard to run Greenburn as a model for opencast mining in the area and around 200 local people rely on the mine for employment.

"I will be seeking a meeting and assurances that these jobs are not a risk as a result of this move. There must also be a firm commitment from any new owner to continue the promised rehabilitation of the site started by the Kier Group."

The Chronicle understands that an Indian firm has expressed an interest in Greenburn and could be a potential suitor in the search for a new company to take the site over.