Energy and waste group Hargreaves Services was chosen by KPMG as the preferred bidder, but the liquidators did not disclose which assets were involved.

“Following consideration of the offers received, the interim liquidators will now be working with Hargreaves to finalise the acquisition of various properties, plant and equipment and stocks owned by the companies,” KPMG said in a statement.

Hargreaves was a likely contender after raising 42 million pounds last month to expand its operations and buy new mines, as well as buying the rights to take over the assets of Scotland's second-biggest open cast mining firm, ATH Resources, last December.

“These developments represent a positive step forward in our efforts to find the best possible way to resume mining and return employment to the affected areas, and in doing so help both communities and families,” KPMG joint liquidator Blair Nimmo said.

“In the meantime, discussions with a variety of stakeholders including the Scottish government and local authorities will continue in relation to various complex site-related issues."

The sale is expected to take four to six weeks.

Hargreaves chief executive officer Gordon Banham said his company was pleased to be confirmed as preferred bidder for the particular assets.

“It represents an important opportunity to accelerate our strategy of creating a sustainable mining operation in Scotland founded on profitable sites operated with environmental responsibility,” Banham said.

Scottish Resources Group subsidiary Scottish Coal operated six open cast mines in Easy Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and Fife. Together with plant operator Castlebridge Plant, it employed 732 people.

Castlebridge has also been placed into administration.

A combination of falling coal prices, rising operational costs and a number of the company’s sites exhausting their reserves was cited for the “significant cash flow pressures”

Immediately following the insolvency appointment, 590 employees were made redundant and all operations ceased.

The remaining 142 employees have been retained to assist in securing the sites.

A taskforce was set up after the company collapsed in a bid to protect as many jobs as possible. It is now hoped that Hargreaves will be able to re-employ a number of the redundant staff.