Coal firm denied permit for Appalachia, Va., mine

Rarely are coal mining companies denied permits, but that was the case in Ison Rock Ridge in Southwest Virginia, where the state Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy denied A & G Coal Corp., a subsidiary of Jim Justice's Southern Coal, a permit to operate a surface mine, reports Allie Robinson for the Bristol Herald Courier. (H-C photo: Dorothy Taulbee protests)

The company filed a permit application six years ago for the mine, which would cover more than 1,200 acres, Robinson writes. The permit was approved in 2010, but denied this week after bonds and fees were not paid on time, and violation issues in other states were not resolved. An appeal has been filed.

The mine was has been controversial from the start, writes Robinson. Sam Broach, president of Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards and a third-generation miner, said surface mining in the area would destroy homes and waterways under it, as well as the natural habitat of wildlife. (Read more) The mine would run northwest from the town of Appalachia, past the Inman community.

Glenn Gannaway of The Post in Big Stone Gap reports that the Division of Mined Land Reclamation is expected to decide A & G's appeal of the permit denial withing 30 days: "An A & G engineer representing the company told hearing officers that A & G was requesting DMLR to keep the hearing open until the issues are resolved." (Read more; subscription may be required)