Rosa mine meeting draws overflow crowd

Nearly 80 Blount County residents who live in the Warrior coal basin that runs under the Black Warrior River basin were up in arms at a recent meeting in Rosa. The open meeting was about a mining operation in the county proposed by MCoal Corporation headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, involving approximately 3255 acres.

A mine-permit request for the first phase of the mining operation was submitted to the Alabama Surface Mining Commission. If the commission approves the permit, the company plans to start production in September 2009 with a projection of 150,000 tons the first year.

Nelson Brooke, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper, addressed an overflow crowd at the Rosa fire station in what was billed as a “coal mine education session.”

The coal found in the Rosa region is said to be a high quality metallurgical coal, meaning it is ideal for making coke used in the steel making process.

According to an article by David Whiteside in Waterkeeper magazine, the Warrior coal basin is the largest coal-producing area in the Deep South. He wrote, “Currently, there are about 101 active coal mines in Alabama – 94 of these active mines are located in the Black Warrior River watershed. Coal is plentiful in the Black Warrior basin, which is notable considering that Alabama ranks 50th in the United States for environmental protection. All of this abundant coal and lack of environmental enforcement has resulted in tremendous water pollution.”

In his presentation, Brooke pointed out many issues area residents should be concerned about. Some of them are:

•effects on water quality and ground water levels.

•erosion and loss of topsoil.

•dust pollution, vibration, and diesel exhaust odors.

•aesthetic effects such as altered land forms.

•danger of coal seam fires.

•effects on wildlife and aquatic habitats.

•possible impact on property values and insurance rates.

Other concerns Brooke pointed out were contamination of streams with uranium, thorium, and other heavy metals, and acid mine drainage.

The Alabama Surface Mining Act of 1969 provides for the “safe and reasonable reclamation of lands to protect the taxable value of property and preserve the natural resources, and the health and safety of the people of this state.”

The act requires operators of surface mines to:

•obtain a valid permit before starting to mine coal by the surface method.

•submit a map or aerial photograph showing the location of the mining operation.

•grade affected land to reduce peaks and ridges to a rolling topography.

•cover the face of any toxic material left exposed by the mining operation in the bottom of the pit.

•divert water from the mining operation in a manner designed to reduce siltation, erosion, or other damage to streams and natural watercourses.

•seed the affected land with native tree species.

•construct fire lanes or access roads on all affected land that is to be restored.

Another major concern expressed by several residents was road safety, especially on roads traveled by school buses. District 4 Commissioner Waymon Pitts agreed that some of the county roads that large coal trucks would be traveling may not be wide enough for a school bus and a coal truck to pass.

Residents were urged to contact the Alabama Surface Mining Commission (205-221-4130 or www.asmc@asmc .Alabama.gov) and express their concerns about the impact such a large-scale mining operation might have on the serene lifestyle they enjoy, and the ecological harm it could cause.

Sanford Hendon, project engineer for McGehee Engineering Inc. of Jasper, who was hired by MCoal to confirm the reserves, resources, and feasibility of the Rosa project, spoke to clarify the coal company’s dedication to strict adherence to environmental laws and standards. He indicated the company plans not only to reclaim the land it disturbs in this operation, but also to correct damage inflicted in previous mining operations by other companies.

A brochure handed out at the meeting indicated that the initial phase of the operation would employ up to 29 workers. It was not clear whether the workers would be hired locally, or if they would be brought from some other area.

Paul “Burning Spear” Mullins, a Native American resident, pointed out the likelihood of historically significant or sacred Indian grounds in the area and the danger of their being illegally disturbed. He plans to meet with other local tribesmen to ensure those grounds are not violated.

He cautioned the coal company, “I have never backed down, and I don’t intend to start now. Big industries like this one are not building up our country; they are bringing destruction to benefit themselves.”

A follow-up open meeting planned for the third week in August at Rosa Town Hall has been postponed, its date to be announced.