The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) has approved the Falkirk mining plan located in McLean County, North Dakota, following a supplemental environmental assessment. The approval authorizes the Falkirk Mining Co., a subsidiary of North American Coal Corp., to mine approximately 2.2 million tons, adding seven months to the life of the mine.
The assistant secretary, land and minerals management, OSM issued an approved mining plan modification to add approximately 160 acres to the approved mining plan area of the Falkirk mine. The surface facility is located about four miles south of Underwood and 45 miles north of Bismarck, North Dakota, and currently employs 530 people. The mine is projected to produce an average range is 3.4 million tons per year (tpy) to 4.2 million tpy.
The Falkirk permit provides for a post-mine land use of cropland, fish and wildlife habitat, and native grassland, which will continue with this modification. The North Dakota Public Service Commission holds a reclamation performance bond in the amount of $88.7 million on the site.
