New mining permit in TN will support local economy
Hurricane Creek Mining, LLC will now be able to mine coal on Bryson Mountain in Claiborne County following approval by the Department of the Interior.
According to a release by the DOI, the project will produce up to 1.8 million tons of coal over the next 10 years. That will help strengthen America’s energy independence and the coal from the mine will support important industries like steelmaking and power generation.
“This project reflects a broader shift, one where American resources are being put to work for American strength,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess. “We’re not just issuing permits—we’re supporting communities, securing supply chains for critical industries and making sure the U.S. stays competitive in a changing global energy landscape.”
According to the release, the permit was approved through “expedited environmental review under newly established procedures designed to speed up reviews of energy projects.” This is in response to the national energy emergency declared by President Trump earlier this year.
“This approval is a key step in the government’s plan to support reliable coal production and grow the nation’s energy resources.” The approval is also aligned with Executive Order 14261, “Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry.”
“This mine approval complements the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s support for the coal industry in the United States, including by reducing royalty rates for mining federal coal and opening millions of acres for federal coal leasing,” according to DOI. “As approved, Hurricane Creek Mining, LLC is authorized to surface mine several coal seams on about 635 acres by auger, highwall and contour methods. Coals seams from the mining area typically contain both specialty market and thermal use coal.”
The coal mined in the area is specialty coal used for steel making and industrial use, including the potential for the extraction of rare earth metals or trace minerals.
“Occasionally, this coal is blended with low-grade coal for electricity generation,” according to the release. For more information, visit HERE.
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