Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell is meeting officials from Buccleuch Estates and Keir Minerals to discuss ideas for future developments at Canonbie.
Australian firm New Age Exploration have been granted a licence for an underground mine to the west and south of Canonbie, while Kier Minerals and Buccleuch Estates are eyeing an open cast mine to the north of the quiet, rural community.
Mr Mundell is keen to explore all proposals and ensure that the local community is properly consulted.
Any developments must meet the needs of local community and must be scrutinised on a case by case basis, says the MP.
“These are major developments which could impact quite dramatically on this small rural community so I want to ensure that local interests are fully considered right from the outset,” he added.
Predicting concerns, Canonbie District Community Council chairman James Fleming said: “This will be received with worry and trepidation, I would think.
“The view of an open cast mine doesn’t bear thinking about. There could be a lot of people very worried about what might happen.”
He added: “The roads are in a poor enough state as it is, and I can’t see it’s going to help the matter.”
New Age Exploration (NAE) of Melbourne has been granted an underground licence by the UK Coal Authority at a standard £12,500 for a 67.5 square kilometre section of the Lochinvar coalfield.
Eyeing a potential for 330 million to 410 million tonnes of coking and pulverised coal, NAE managing director Gary Fietz said: “Based on historic drilling and seismic data, we are very excited about the potential of a major project at Lochinvar, which has excellent infrastructure in place and is located in very close proximity to European steel mills.”
Meanwhile, a competing application for Lochinvar coal has seen a deal offering mining firm Kier Minerals and landowner Buccleuch Estates a licence to create an open cast mine at the eastern part of the coalfield.
Claiming a ‘number of potential energy resources’, chief executive of The Buccleuch Group John Glen said: “Should these opportunities be explored successfully there will be significant employment opportunities in the area.”
Annandale South and Eskdale councillor Denis Male believes Lochinvar to be one of the highest quality coalfields in Britain, and notes costs of domestic product are now on a par with imports.
But he said: “I think communications have to begin immediately, because the rumour that’s been around for the past few months is not the type of rumours you want to hear.
“You want the truth, and any company thinking along these lines should as soon as possible engage with the local community.”