West Elk Mine

West Elk Mine is an underground operation in Somerset, CO, owned by Arch Coal.

Mine Data

 * Owner: Mountain Coal Company L.L.C.
 * Parent company: Arch Coal Inc.
 * Location: 5174 Old Highway 133, Somerset, CO
 * GPS coordinates: 38.927032,-107.463917
 * Production: 6,874,101 short tons
 * Type of coal: Bituminous
 * Mine type: underground, longwall
 * Equipment:
 * Number of employees: 300

Colorado coal mine OK seen as a reversal of roadless rule
On November 8, 2011 the United States Forest Service approved a 1,700-acre expansion of the West Elk Mine on Colorado’s Western Slope.

West Elk is owned by Arch Coal, who praised the decision for its job-saving potential. Environmental groups blasted the USFS ruling for its possible industrialization of the pristine Sunset Trail roadless area adjacent to the West Elk Wilderness Area. The West Elk mine expansion would be mostly underground, however Arch Coal would construct up to 48 well pads and 6.5 miles of roads in the Sunset Trail area in order to vent methane gas from the coal mine.

“The Forest Service is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory,” said Earthjustice attorney Ted Zukoski. “The administration should not be paving the way for an incursion into roadless lands when a court has just upheld its authority to protect those lands. This administration promised to protect Colorado roadless areas as well or better than the 2001 Roadless Rule required. It doesn’t look like they intend to live up to that promise.”

Related SourceWatch articles
To see a listing of coal mines in a particular state, click on the map:
 * Coal and jobs in the United States
 * Coal phase-out
 * Headquarters of U.S. coal mining companies
 * Global list of coal mining companies and agencies
 * Colorado and coal
 * Proposed coal mines
 * Coal