October 19, 2010

Peabody reports that it has begun exporting coal mined in the Powder River Basin to countries in Europe, Chile and Asia. It expects demand growth in Asia to be extremely high, pushing up the price for coal worldwide, and is seriously considering opening a new west-coast port specifically to export PRB coal to Asia.

Read more at http://www.miningweekly.com/article/peabody-sends-prb-coal-to-europe-eyes-new-w-coast-port-2010-10-19

Oct 19, 2010
The Alabama Surface Mining Commission has issued a permit to mine coal at the Shepherd Bend site, located near Cordova, AL. The first part of the mine is 34 acres. To expand beyond that the mine would likely need to lease land from the University of Alabama system.

The application has been criticized by many groups because it allows the mine to discharge heavy metals just upstream one of the major water intakes for the city of Birmingham.

Read more at http://www.myfoxal.com/Global/story.asp?S=13353202

October 16, 2010

Colstrip, Montana is a book by native Montanan photographer David T. Hanson that documents the effects of the Rosebud mine on the region around Colstrip from the 80s to the present. Featuring 81 color photographs wrapped by an introduction and conclusion, this book shows the mine from the ground, from the air, up close and from a distance.

Read article at http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/10/book-review-colstrip-montana-the-tragedy-of-an-american-coal-plant.php

The Obama administration defended itself against charges that it improperly reviewed the environmental impacts of a proposed coal sale in the Powder River Basin. The suit, brought by WildEarth Guardians, accused the federal Bureau of Land Management of violating the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act through the sale. The government denied all charges in a 22 page response.

Additionally, the Attorney General of Wyoming and Antelope Coal have both filed to intervene in the case. Off the record comments suggest that the coal industry is worried about an injunction that might stop their ability to acquire the lease, but that in the absence of an injunction, they are happy to fight the case in the courts for years.

Read more at http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/Coal/8075264

October 16, 2010

Shawn Garvin, regional administer for the Mid-Atlantic Region for the Environmental Protection Administration has recommended that the Spruce No. 1 Mine in Logan County be stopped because of the adverse effects to streams, plants and wildlife.

The review found that more than 7 miles of streams would be buried under 110 million cubic yards of earth which would then release toxic contaminants downstream.

A spokesperson for Arch Coal, said in a statement that the company intended to “vigorously” challenge the recommendation.

Read more at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/science/earth/16westvirginia.html

Morgan Stanley has reduced Cloud Peak rating from overweight to equal-weight, setting Cloud Peak’s at $19. Cloud Peak manages Cordero Rojo and the Antelope coal mine in Wyoming and Silver Creek mines in Montana.

Read article at http://www.mysmartrend.com/news-briefs/news-watch/morgan-stanley-downgraded-cloud-peak-energy-equal-weight-cld-ms

October 14, 2010 by Ken Ward Jr.

As the result of an MSHA investigation, Massey Energy was found responsible for the deaths of two miners, one at the Pocahontas Mine and the other at Ruby Energy.

Read more at http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/10/14/massey-energy-cited-in-2-w-va-mining-deaths/

San Juan Citizens Alliance, the Center for Biological Diversity and Diné CARE filed an intent-to-sue claiming that the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement failed to consult with Fish and Wildlife Services when approving the mining permit for the Navajo Mine, and that government scientists have determined that the heavy metal discharges into the San Juan River that would result from the mining would likely cause two endangered species to become extinct.

Read more at http://www.durangotelegraph.com/telegraph.php?inc=/10-10-14/coverstory.htm

October 13, 2010

MSHA has released its report into the deaths of coal miners Justin Travis and Michael Carter who were killed in a roof fall on April 28, 2010. Travis and Carter were operating a continuous mining machine when a section 76 by 19 foot of roof detached and crushed them. The cave-in was caused by hidden “slickenslides”, that “weakened the overlying rock beds and allowed the bolted roof to be pulled down where the miners were working,” the report concluded.

As a result of the accident, MSHA issued two orders, including one for failing to adequately support the roof in the area of collapse. MSHA noted that the roof bolting had been done according to the mine’s approved plan of operation, but that the collapse by definition meant that the mining company had failed to support the root.

Read article at http://www.isurfwebster.com/news/local-news/5863-msha-releases-findings-on-dotiki-mining-accident.html and MSHA report at http://www.msha.gov/FATALS/2010/ftl10c3435.pdf

The conversion over 40 years from a strip mine run by the Central Ohio Coal Company to a $250 million, 49.9-megawatt solar array is an example of the repurposing of reclaimed coal mine lands for renewable energy as Appalachia follows a trend that has already established itself in the southwest.

Read more at http://www.miller-mccune.com/environment/solar-farming-spreads-to-appalachia-24030/