November 6, 2010

The lack of electrical generation infrastructure in the remote areas of Alaska where new mines are being proposed is causing planning headaches for the companies proposing them. While the energy planning isn’t finalized, the two largest proposed mines, the Pebble gold and copper mine and the Chuitna coal mine in Cook Inlet, have large unmet electrical needs. Chuitna’s needs may peak at 20MW of power, considered enough to power 20,000 U.S. homes. Pebble’s needs are far larger still; while the company isn’t providing estimates now, past estimates have been as high as 500MW.

Read article at http://www.adn.com/2010/11/06/1540510/mines-face-power-challenges.html

November 6, 2010

Since its founding in 1973, the Powder River Basin Resource Council has served as a voice for landowners negotiating with coal, oil and gas developers. It has also been blamed for delays in permitting and higher costs and has been accused for advocating making the entire Powder River Basin into a wilderness area for sage grouse and elk. This article tries to separate truth from fiction, talking with people associated with or helped by the PRBRC as well as the industries who criticize them.

Read article at http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/articles/2010/11/07/news/today/news00.txt

The Black Cross Alliance, an activist movement designed to bring attention to the negative health effects of coal mining for the miners and surrounding environment, has arrived to the Black Mesa region with concerned residents and activists constructing black crosses in front of the Kayenta Mine. On land inside the Navajo Nation, Kayenta was named last year as one of the most dangerous mines in the country.

Read article at http://www.indypendent.org/2010/11/04/pattern-of-navajo-coal-mine-violations/

November 3, 2010

For the first time in its history, the Department of Labor has asked a federal judge to shut down a coal mine to protect the lives of those who work there. Citing numerous violations, including 700 for this calendar year alone, the Massey Energy’s Freedom Mine #1 “has a high risk level for a fatal accident…on any given day” according to James Poynter, an assistant district manager at the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

This move is different from an ordinary “shutdown” order, because shutdown orders only stop mining operations until the immediate problems cited are addressed. By comparison this order would stop work throughout the mine until the safety hazards are met and Massey Energy can demonstrate that it can operate the mine safely. The move comes in the wake of many different meetings between MSHA officials and Massey staff aimed towards bringing the mine back into compliance with safety regulations. In a company statement, Massey has said it is considering closing the mine in response to the operation.

Read article http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130596700

November 3, 2010

Investigators searching for clues in the Upper Big Branch mine were evacuated after methane was detected in an area they were dewatering. Methane is naturally occurring in coal mines, is explosive in high concentrations, and is believed to be the cause of the April 5th explosion in the mine that killed 29 miners.

Read article at http://www.tv3winchester.com/news/headlines/Methane_Forces_Investigators_to_Evacuate_WV_Mine_106618979.html

November 3, 2010

MSHA has asked for a preliminary injunction to stop all mining at Freedom Energy Mining Co.’s Mine No. 1. Located in Pike County, Ky. which is owned by Massey Energy Co. Using the authority of Section 108(a)(2) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, MSHA is asking for the shutdown because of a pattern of violation of the mandatory health and safety standards of the Mine Act, which constitutes a continuous hazard to the health and safety of the miners at Mine No. 1.

Read press release at http://www.msha.gov/MEDIA/PRESS/2010/NR101103.asp

November 1, 2010

Recent market reports are showing that Powder River Basin coal spot prices have doubled in price from their low in 2009 of $7/ton to a current $15/ton and their price is expected to stay there until 2011. While this is a significant recovery, spot prices are still down from their historic highs of $22/ton in 2006.

Read article at http://www.wyomingbusinessreport.com/article.asp?id=54579

November 1, 2010

Coal producer Arch Coal has missed the consensus net adjusted earnings rate for its latest quarter reporting a profit of 35 cents per share instead of the 37 cents per share predicted. This is in spite of Arch raising its production for Q3 2010 to 43.7 million tons of coal compared with Q3 2009 production of 29.1 million tons. Additionally Arch reduced its cost per ton produced from $13.70 from its cost of $15.75 Q3 last year, and raised its predicted production to a total of 155–158 million tons for 2010.

Read article at http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Archs-Profits-Slip-below-zacks-2753873038.html

Oct 30, 2010.

A judge has voided the approval of a 2005 permit renewal that permits coal mining operations on the Navajo Mine. The move is the result of a lawsuit that was originally filed in 2007 by the San Juan Citizens Alliance and Diné Citizens Against Ruining our Environment (Diné CARE). BHP Billiton, the mine’s operator, says that it has suspended operations in the affected portion of the mine, and is considering whether to appeal the decision.

Read more at http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50572546-76/mine-permit-decision-navajo.html.csp

October 29, 2010

The coal industry is on track to spend more in lobbying and campaign donations than in the 2008 elections. While Big Coal, along with several other industries, has managed to kill climate change legislation for the foreseeable future, after several recent and major accidents in mines and with coal-ash impoundments, it is concerned that other regulatory efforts will effect its bottom line.

Read more at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/us/politics/30coal.html