MONTROSE, Colo,—The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has agreed to let operations at Oxbow Mining LLC’s Elk Creek Mine in western Colorado continue for another year, with a condition that Oxbow study the feasibility of mitigating, capturing or using methane that’s vented during mining.
Groups, including WildEarth Guardians, had raised concerns about natural gas escaping into the air, prompting the BLM to revisit an earlier decision approving extended operations at Elk Creek.
WildEarth Guardians was reviewing the BLM’s latest decision before deciding whether to appeal.
The BLM decision Tuesday covers a federal coal lease tract near Somerset with an estimated 3.8 million tons of recoverable coal. The agency says the lease is expected to provide 335 mining jobs and generate $15 million in royalties. Colorado receives half of federal coal royalties.
