Coal Age

JUL 2015

Coal Age Magazine - For more than 100 years, Coal Age has been the magazine that readers can trust for guidance and insight on this important industry.

Issue link: https://coal.epubxp.com/i/541310

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 17 of 67

North American Coal's Government and Public Affairs Director David Straley told the Bismarck Tribune that the operator of the 13- million-lb machine (formally known as dragline 102) was working at the East mine pit on June 16 began to notice the slipping around 4 :30 p.m. local time. He was able to escape the cab without injury, a nd no other miners were hurt. Bulldozers aided in pushing dirt against the dragline and move- ment stopped about an hour later. While a request for comment from North American Coal wasn't immediately returned, officials told the Tribune that it expects the machine would be returned to its position and working again within 10 days. Only minor damage to the machine was reported. The company also noted that coal was still being removed from a nother area of the pit, so operations did not completely stopped. In the meantime, Straley said geologists and engineers were called in to examine the cause of the bench slip and the company was devel- oping a plan to remove the unit from its leaning position. B lankenship Trial Delayed Until October A July 13 start of a criminal trial for former Massey Energy CEO Don B lankenship, who stands accused of felonies including conspiracy, fraud and making false statements stemming from the Upper Big Branch (UBB) mine explosion in 2010, has seen his trial date moved once again to October 1. According to the Associated Press, the 64-year-old ex-executive, who has pleaded guilty on all counts, faces up to 31 years in prison for conspiracy to violate mandatory federal mine safety and health standards, conspiracy to impede federal mine safety officials, mak- i ng false statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and securities fraud. n e w s c o n t i n u e d 16 www.coalage.com July 2015 Cordero Rojo Receives State of Wyoming Reclamation Award Cloud Peak Energy's Cordero Rojo mine, located near Gillette, Wyoming, received the 2015 State of Wyoming Reclamation Award from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division for the success- ful restoration of the Belle Fourche River. The award was presented at the Wyoming Mining Association's Annual Safety and Reclamation Banquet in Cody, Wyoming, on June 19. Through design and reconstruction, the Cordero Rojo mine relocated a portion of the Belle Fourche River and reclaimed the stream channel to pro- vide approximately the same conditions as premining. The reclaimed stream channel is stable from erosion with abundant grass cover, and the aquatic life has been established with macro invertebrates and invertebrates. "Reclamation is a critical part of the mining process, and this award recognizes the successful work of all our employees at the Cordero Rojo mine," said Colin Marshall, President and CEO of Cloud Peak Energy. "We will continue to return the land to a condition that is as good as or better than before mining began." "Moving and returning the Belle Fourche River was a major project for our team, requiring significant planning and execution," said Joe Vaccari, general manager of the Cordero Rojo mine. "Its completion highlights our commitment to reclamation and environmental stewardship." Cordero Rojo mined and shipped approximately 34.8 million tons in 2014, making it the third largest coal mine by production in the U.S. Also in 2014, Cordero Rojo received approval for final, phase-three bond release on more than 900 acres of permanently reclaimed land from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. US Mining Hall of Fame Recognizes Powell River Project The National Mining Hall of Fame will present the Prazen Living Legend of Mining Award to the Powell River Project Research and Education Center, a Virginia Tech program that conducts research and education programs to enhance the restoration of coal-mined lands in partnership with the Appalachian coal mining industry. The Powell River Project was created in 1980 in direct response to coal mine reclamation challenges presented by the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Its purpose has been to identify reclamation prac- tices and post-mine land uses most beneficial to communities in the coal field region, particularly in the realm of reclaiming and reforesting mined lands with native hardwood species, and the utilization of reclaimed areas for agriculture and horticulture. Each year, hundreds of people visit the cen- ter to learn about mining, reclamation, and environmental protection at Appalachian coal mines. Since its establishment, more than 50,000 visitors have participated in educational programs at the center. The 2015 Annual Induction Banquet and Ceremony will be held on October 23, at the Omni William Penn Hotel ballroom in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2 0 1 5 A W A R D S % Cordero Rojo mine's successful restoration of Belle Fourche River after min- ing cited as exemplary innovation. More than 50,000 people have visited the Powell River projects to learn about mine reclamation.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Coal Age - JUL 2015