TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – US coal producer Alpha Natural Resources affiliated mining operations have settled three selenium-discharge law suits brought by four environmental organisations.
Selenium is a naturally occurring element that could be released into streams as a by-product of some common earthmoving activities, including surface mining.
The lawsuits involved mining permits at certain Aracoma, Bandmill, Highland, Kanawha Energy, Marfork, Alex Energy and Independence mines.
As part of the settlement, the Alpha-affiliated mining operations would pay a civil penalty of $350 000. The agreed upon compliance dates were largely consistent with existing permits or permit renewal proposals for the mining operations.
Alpha said Friday that by resolving all pending Clean Water Act lawsuits, these mining operations would be able to move forward with implementing proven technology in their existing compliance plans, rather than focusing on litigation.