It will be the third occurrence of mining beneath the same stretch of road near Kirby, and company spokesperson Peter Vietti told local newspaper the Post-Gazette it will likely begin in early February.
A representative for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) told the paper it plans to constantly monitor the area while the mining is conducted, and has already begun taking readings for movement of the road structure. The watch, she said, is for the safety of motorists and so actions can be taken if any movement is recorded.
Vietti said no end date for the longwall mining could be given, but mining is expected to continue in the area for the next several years.
Maryland-based Foundation Coal also owns Cumberland mine, another large operation in the area. Emerald shipped about 5.5Mt in 2004. A combined staff of more than 1,040 workers are employed at the two southwestern Pennsylvania operations.
