In the news today…
Mining:
- Anchorage Daily News reports the developer of the controversial proposed Pebble mine in Southwest Alaska launched a profit-sharing plan for residents from the Bristol Bay region on Tuesday.
- Mining.com reports the Minnesota Supreme Court will review a lower court ruling against PolyMet Mining regarding air permits for the company’s proposed copper-nickel mine near Hoyt Lakes and Babbitt.
- Casper Star Tribune reports the federal agency tasked with upholding mining and environmental laws at the nation’s surface coal mines proposed a new rule last month aimed at strengthening coordination with state regulators when responding to citizen complaints of potential mining violations.
Coal:
- KOAA reports an advisory panel recommends shutting down all of Colorado Springs’ coal-fired generation by 2030.
- Bloomberg Law reports Navajo Nation members have said that coal mines have used up all their drinking water.
- Hellenic Shipping News reports U.S. coal consumption has been declining since its peak in 2007 of 1.1 billion short tons.
- Helena Independent Record reports Montana coal production is down 3.3 million tons compared to a year earlier, according to federal energy data.
- Argus reports US-Australian coal producer Paringa Resources asked a federal bankruptcy judge to extend the deadline to file an Chapter 11 exit plan after failing to attract a buyer ahead of its auction.
- E&E Energywire reports a major Ohio utility has given up its legal fight to break free of two money-losing coal-fired plants, despite earlier claims the plants will continue to bleed red ink.
Minerals:
- Mining.com reports the copper price has recovered strongly from its COVID-19 collapse in March largely due to Chinese demand.
EPA:
- Inside EPA reports a group of Democratic-led states is urging a federal district court to apply nationwide a potential stay of the Trump administration’s WOTUS rule under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), but the Justice Department and a group of Republican-led states argue any remedy should be narrowly tailored in scope.