At one time it was one of central Scotland's most important and successful mines, and Polkemmet Colliery was one of the county's major employer when it closed but according to the NCB was losing money.

For most of the last century coal mining dominated Whitburn's industry. At it's peak the central belt of Scotland was littered with hundred of mines employing thousands of workers. However, by the end of the century Scotland only had one deep mine left and it wasn't in Whitburn.
The 1984/85 industrial dispute between the National Coal Board (NCB) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) decimated the mining industry and Polkemmet Colliery was a major casualty. At that time it was the second largest employer in West Lothian behind the large British Leyland truck factory in Bathgate. Although nearly 1400 people worked at the pit, only around 13% actually lived in Whitburn. The rest came from other towns and villages mainly within a thirty mile radius of Polkemmet. While 13% is a fairly low amount the loss of the mine undoubtedly delivered a severe blow to the towns economy.

Sinking began on No.1 shaft in 1913 and No.2 three years later. Work was stopped in 1917 until the end of the First World War in 1918. The shafts reached the coal in 1921 and production started in 1922. Following nationalisation just after the end of the Second World War the rate of development speeded up and additional manpower recruited until by 1952 output had increased to appox. 2000 tons daily. This increase in output during the 1st five years of nationalisation was obtained without carrying out any major re-construction. However, considerable effort was required to increase steaming and power generating capacity and to develop new face room. Compared with modern standards, the surface handling arrangements were obsolete and the winding, steam raising and power plant rather inefficient. The winding engines were in poor condition and had, in fact, in recent years required extensive repairs. It was originally intended to electrify the colliery by bringing in electrical power from the South of Scotland Electricity Board, but due to the urgency for coal production due to the war effort and the long time it would have taken to bring in power, the intention was never realised. An interim scheme for extending boiler and generating capacity was carried out with utmost despatch and considerable success during 1949. Since no further increase in output or efficiency could be obtained with the existing equipment, it was decided in 1952 that the time was right for carrying out complete electrification & re-construction.

Polkemmet was a self-contained unit using orthodox steam winders and having a generating station for electric power. Shaft pumping was also carried out using steam power. The purpose of the re-organisation of the colliery was to raise the daily saleable output from 2000 to 3000 tons. This increase in output was designed to meet the increasing demand for coking coals, which has a low sulphur content and minimal phosphorous contamination which made it suitable for steel making plants. Approximately 95% of Polkemmet coal was sold to the British Steel works at Ravenscraig with the remainder sold for domestic use. To deal with this additional output, the re-organisation envisaged, except for space heating, the complete electrification of the colliery, including the installation of new electric winders and ventilating fan. Re-organisation in 1958 increased capacity to 4000 tons daily. More recent investment was relatively limited until 1979/80 when just over £326,000 was spent. Capital expenditure rose to just under £1million in 1981/82 most of which was on the construction of long term underground roadways.

The "Report of the Public Inquiry into the proposed closure of Polkemmet Colliery, August 1985" showed that in 1982/83, the latest year unaffected by major disputes, investment per man in the NCB (only those at collieries) as a whole was £3651 but in the Scottish area alone it was down to £2182. The report also showed that the Scottish Area since 1974/75 received not only the lowest absolute amount of all NCB areas for capital expenditure, but also a significantly lower amount per man. Polkemmet Colliery faired even worse in receiving even less investment per man than the average in the Scottish area. the below average level investment in Polkemmet Colliery was a significant contributor to it's continued loss making. The NCB's internal accounts suggested that in the first six months of the financial year 1983/84 the colliery was losing £8.03 per tonne.

During the 1984/85 industrial dispute pumping stopped and flooding damaged the pit. After the dispute pumping started up again and although the unions argued that the colliery could be recovered in April 1985, the NCB announced it's intentions to close the colliery which followed soon after. Pumping finally ceased in 1986. This was not the end of the story. Monitoring in the area alerted the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Coal Authority that rising mine waters were a major cause for concern. SEPA targeted the problem as their priority site for action in Scotland. The feasibility study commissioned by the Coal Authority suggested that mine water contaminated with iron could break out along coal outcrops towards the end of the 90s causing potential pollution to the River Almond which flows alongside Whitburn and through Polkemmet Country Park. West Lothian Council and SEPA came up with a scheme to pump from the Polkemmet shafts, chemically treat the water and discharge it into the Cultrig Burn. The construction works commenced in January 1998 and were completed two months later. Early results looked good in that the mine waters were soon under control but work continues to establish a long term solution to the problem.

The vacated area of the colliery and surrounding land is getting a new lease of life the Polemmet OCCS / Heartlands scheme. This ambitious £500 million regeneration plan will change the landscape of Whitburn forever with championship size golf courses, high tech. business park, hotel and leisure facilities.