The preparatory work at the 154ha Rusha site near the village of Breich will include archaeological work and the creation of new crossing points over existing water pipelines. Soil stripping is due to start in the spring.
The company, part of the Banks Group, will be mining coal for just one customer - Scottish-based Fergusson group, which supplies solid fuel to both the energy and domestic markets in the UK.
The company, which has operated over 100 opencast mines across the UK in the past three decades, has already set up a community fund to offer capital support for community and environmental improvements in the area.
Community consultation during the planning stage also caused it to change its proposed route for taking away the coal from the mine. The coal was originally planned to be taken through the nearby villages of Longridge and Whitburn, but will now be taken along the A71 and A73 instead.
When mining is finished, the site will be restored to woodland and agriculture.
The Banks Group's environment and community director Mark Dowdall said: "We're excited to be reaching this milestone, especially as it comes at a time when very few other firms are making this kind of investment in West Lothian."
