CAMPAIGNERS have called for a ban on a gas extraction method that sees coal ignited underground to be extended to fracking.

The Scottish Government announced yesterday that it would block any underground coal gasification (UCG) projects after an expert report revealed "numerous and serious environmental risks".

The technology is separate to fracking, which sees water, sand and chemicals pumped deep underground to fracture shale rock and release gas. A separate moratorium will remain in place until new research is published and a public consultation takes place.

Environmentalists hailed the ban on UCG, which was only made subject to a moratorium following sustained pressure on ministers from the SNP grassroots and the green lobby.

However, they urged ministers to make a similar decision next year when they come to make their minds up over fracking.

Grassroots SNP group SMAUG, set up to lobby the party leadership to take a tougher line against unconventional oil and gas developments, said it was "delighted but not surprised" by the UCG stance. A spokesman added: "SMAUG now looks forward to this ban being extended to include fracking and coal bed methane extraction and so further committing Scotland to an energy future based on our abundant renewable assets."

Friends of the Earth Scotland said the UCG ban was a "hugely important turning point in the fight against climate change".

Head of campaigns Mary Church said: "We look forward to the Scottish Government acting swiftly to ban shale gas fracking and coalbed methane drilling once it has finished its review."

The review into UCG, carried out by Professor Campbell at the Gemmell of University of Glasgow, found that there are 'substantial' resources that could be exploited through the method, which sees underground coal ignited and gas siphoned to the surface. However, he recommended Scotland "progress towards a ban for the foreseeable future" after highlighting gaps in available evidence, environmental accidents in other countries, climate change implications and viability issues. He set out five tests, that if passed, could lead to the ban being revisited.

Paul Wheelhouse, the SNP energy minister, said: "It is the Scottish Government’s view that UCG poses numerous and serious environmental risks and, on that basis, the Scottish Government cannot support this technology."

A series of licences had been granted for UCG exploration in Scotland. Energy firm Cluff Natural Resources had planned to build the UK's first deep offshore UCG plant at Kincardine in Fife, which would have extracted gas from coal seams under the Firth of Forth.

Any developments will be blocked using Holyrood's planning powers, while Mr Wheelhouse has asked the UK Government to rescind existing licences.

Andrew Nunn, the Chief Operating Officer for Cluff, described the announcement as "disappointing". He added: "We have no doubt that UCG will be developed elsewhere in the world and the opportunity for Scotland to benefit from first mover advantage will have been lost."