Environment
Environment
Setting a higher standard for mining operations in Wyoming.
The Brook Mine would be the first coal mine to be permitted by the State of Wyoming in over four decades – and it will be a mine of which we and the region can be proud. Rather than simply meeting state standards, we wanted to further demonstrate that we will be good stewards of the land, air and overall environment, as well as be sensitive to local concerns.
That’s why we have gone above and beyond to create the most thorough environmental and quality of life protections for any mining operation in the state for our Brook Mine application — which will provide feedstock for coal-to-products researchers and manufacturers at our iCAM and iPark facilities. Learn more below.
Hydrology
Enhanced modeling efforts confirm the project will have minimal impacts to existing water supply wells, local aquifers and the Tongue River alluvial valley. Our revised application expands the hydrologic study area and incorporates additional data points and technical information to better safeguard the resources. All this has been incorporated in the predictive modeling. Independent water monitoring research conducted by the Sheridan County Conservation District is also included in our permit application.
Subsidence
An independent firm has completed a design report for the first area where high wall mining will occur and also reviewed the causation of historic subsidence in the region. They have confirmed the mine design does not create the types of conditions that have led to subsidence in the past. This report will serve as the template for future highwall mining designs throughout the permit area.
Low Impact
Our revised mining application scales back production tonnage, reducing the amount of commercial traffic in the immediate area during business hours. The plan also commits to limits on the blast shot size, a commitment to not blast near sunset or on federal holidays, and an opt-in advance notification system for neighbors within ½ mile of the shot.
Hydrology
Enhanced modeling efforts confirm the project will have minimal impacts to existing water supply wells, local aquifers and the Tongue River alluvial valley. Our revised application expands the hydrologic study area and incorporates additional data points and technical information to better safeguard the resources. All this has been incorporated in the predictive modeling. Independent water monitoring research conducted by the Sheridan County Conservation District is also included in our permit application.
Subsidence
An independent firm has completed a design report for the first area where high wall mining will occur and also reviewed the causation of historic subsidence in the region. They have confirmed the mine design does not create the types of conditions that have led to subsidence in the past. This report will serve as the template for future highwall mining designs throughout the permit area.
Low Impact
Our revised mining application scales back production tonnage, reducing the amount of commercial traffic in the immediate area during business hours. The plan also commits to limits on the blast shot size, a commitment to not blast near sunset or on weekends and federal holidays, and an opt-in advance notification system for neighbors within ½ mile of the shot.