ARCHIVE

Lawsuit threatens Westmoreland expansion plans

ENVIRONMENTAL groups have filed a lawsuit related to Westmoreland Coal's plans to increase output...

Lauren Barrett
Lawsuit threatens Westmoreland expansion plans

A report in Canadian Business said the lawsuit was filed Tuesday by attornies representing the Sierra Club and Montana Environmental Information Center.

The surface mine currently produces about 12 million tons of coal per annum.

According to the news service, the plaintiffs allege the state Department of Environmental Quality director Richard Opper has shown a “pattern of neglect” by approving at least ten mine proposals without guaranteeing protection of water supplies.

Attorney Shiloh Hernandez said it was important water protection was a prerequisite for the Rosebud expansion approval.

“DEQ hasn't been enforcing this for a decade and we're concerned they won't adequately protect neighbouring ranches, water and property before they allow the expansion of the Rosebud mine,” he reportedly said.

Opper said he was disappointed with the lawsuit because the state had offered to commence discussions with parties last November.

“We tried to get together with them to talk it through before they made a decision to sue us," he told the news service.

“I don't think that's a great way of doing business.”

Westmoreland attorney Jennifer Grafton was reported to be reviewing the lawsuit.

TOPICS:

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production