The Tygart No. 1 project had previously received all essential federal and state approvals, including a Section 404 permit from the Army Corps of Engineers and a surface mining permit from the WVDEP, but challenges lodged by a local anti-mining organization caused the project to be delayed. The WVSMB determined the anti-mining group’s objections regarding the potential for post-mining water quality problems were adequately addressed in the approved permit and the WVDEP properly reinstated the permit.
“We are pleased the board agrees that our Tygart No. 1 mine plan is environmentally responsible and meets all state regulatory requirements,” said Ben Hatfield, CEO and president, ICG. “Our current business plan anticipates that we will resume construction on the Tygart project in mid-2011, with early development production projected for late 2012.” At full output, the company expects production to reach 3.5 million tons of high quality thermal and premium high-volatile metallurgical coal.
