Coal recovery anticipated to generate more than $400 million in average annual economic output
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announces the availability of the record of decision for the final environmental impact statement and approval of federal mining plans for Mine No. 4 and Blue Creek Mine No. 1, in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The approved mining plans authorize the recovery of more than 53 million tons of federal metallurgical coal.
Metallurgical coal is used to produce coke, an essential fuel for producing high-grade steel used in a wide range of applications,
including manufacturing, automotive, and construction. Metallurgical coal is designated a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020.
“Coal recovered from the approval of these mining plans will go to America’s allies for steelmaking,” said Lanny E. Erdos, Director, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. “This will strengthen our national security by ensuring stable supply chains for critical defense materials and reduces reliance on rivals like China.”
Mine No. 4 and Blue Creek Mine No. 1 are operated by Warrior Met Coal, Inc. At Mine No. 4, Warrior Met is expected to extract about 16.9 million tons of federal metallurgical coal, extending the life of the mine by 7 years to 2046, while employing approximately 425 employees annually. At Blue Creek Mine No. 1, Warrior Met is expected to extract about 36.3 million tons of federal metallurgical coal, extending the life of the mine by 14 years to 2067, while employing approximately 500 employees annually. Coal recovery from these mines is anticipated to generate more than $400 million in average annual economic output.
OSM adopted an EIS prepared by BLM to analyze the environmental impacts associated with leasing the federal coal tracts and the reasonably foreseeable development of those leases. OSM participated in the preparation of the EIS as a cooperating agency and has independently reviewed the analysis and supporting documentation and determined the EIS adequately addresses the potential environmental effects of the proposed mining plans and satisfies OSM’s responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act.
The mining plans advance Executive Order 14241, Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, and Executive Order 14261, Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry.
The record of decision and signed mining plans are available online at https://www.osmre.gov/programs/regulating-active-coal-mines/federal-lands.
– OSM –
OSM carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSM’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines. For more information, visit www.osmre.gov or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.