All articles tagged with #coal mining
The U.S. Department of the Interior approved a modification to extend the life of the Bull Mountains coal mine in Montana, allowing Signal Peak Energy to recover additional coal, supporting U.S. energy independence and strategic exports to Japan and South Korea, while balancing environmental and economic considerations.
Ukrainians in coal mining towns like Pokrovsk and Dobropillya face a harsh winter as Russian forces intensify attacks, threatening the region's coal supply crucial for the steel industry. Many residents are fleeing westward or to Europe, while those remaining endure frequent missile and drone strikes. The conflict has severely impacted local economies and infrastructure, with power outages and poor-quality coal compounding the hardships. The ongoing war has also led to conscription fears and a rise in missing persons, as families hold vigils for their loved ones.
New research led by the University of Utah has found elevated levels of rare earth elements (REEs) in coal-adjacent formations in Utah and Colorado, suggesting that active coal mines could also serve as sources for these critical minerals essential for renewable energy and high-tech applications. This discovery, part of the DOE-funded CORE-CM project, could potentially provide a secondary resource stream for coal mines, aiding the transition to green energy. The study highlights the need for further research to determine the volume of REEs present and the economic viability of mining them.
A methane gas explosion at the Kostenko coal mine in Kazakhstan has claimed the lives of at least 45 miners, with one still missing. The mine is owned by ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel producer, and operated by its local representative. Operations at the company's eight mines in the region have been suspended, and a criminal investigation has been launched. The Kazakh government and ArcelorMittal recently signed an agreement to transfer ownership of the mine to Kazakhstan. The mining sector contributes significantly to Kazakhstan's GDP.
The coal-mining region of Kemerovo in Russia is facing economic decline, obsolete mine facilities, and pollution, exacerbating the struggles of its residents. The toll from Russia's invasion of Ukraine is hitting impoverished regions like Kemerovo even harder, with at least 46 men from the city of Prokopyevsk having died in the war. Many of the casualties are buried in a special section of a cemetery, with graves so close together that wreaths appear intertwined. The allure of war wages and compensation for the dead draw capable young and less-young men, further draining the region of able workers. The region also suffers from chronic health problems due to heavy industrial emissions.
A tornado hit the North Antelope Rochelle Mine in Campbell County, Wyoming, injuring eight people and halting operations. Peabody Energy confirmed that all employees had been accounted for, and six were still being treated in hospitals. The mining site is the largest in the country and produced nearly the same amount of coal in 2021 as Illinois and Montana combined. Operations will remain suspended until damage assessments are completed.
A tornado hit the North Antelope Rochelle Mine in Campbell County, Wyoming, injuring eight people and halting operations. The tornado knocked over empty train cars and employee transport buses. No deaths were reported, and all workers were accounted for after a search by the mine's search and rescue team. Peabody Energy Inc., the operator of the mine, confirmed that all employees had been accounted for and that operations had been suspended until damages could be assessed.
The DOJ has filed a civil complaint against Jim Justice III, son of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, and 13 coal companies he owns, alleging unpaid fines for earlier mining violations. The complaint claims the firms committed over 130 violations of federal mining law between 2018 and 2022 and ignored more than 50 warnings from the government to halt operations until they had been resolved. The alleged violations accrued $7.6 million in unpaid fees and interest. The governor, who is running for Senate, has suggested the action could be politically motivated.
Coal miners in southeastern Ukraine work around the clock to extract coal to power the country's war effort and provide civilians with light and heat. Coal is central to meeting Ukraine's energy needs following the Russian military's campaign to destroy power stations and other infrastructure. The work of the coal miners cannot fully compensate for the loss of energy from nuclear power plants, but every megawatt they generate reduces gaps.