Spokesman Gary Broadbent told ILN that permitting delays were at the centre of the delay.
“It is very doubtful [the mine] will operate before the end of the year,” he said, and did not elaborate on any other potential timelines.
Redbird South, which Broadbent said was expected to produce about 1.7 million clean short tons annually over about 2.5 years, will be operated by the company’s OhioAmerican Energy subsidiary.
The mine’s permit, which was issued to the producer recently, encompasses just over 267 hectares in Brilliant, Belmont County. When active, it will extract from the Pittsburgh No. 8 seam.
US Mine Safety and Health Administration data lists the Redbird South operation in its database, but has classified it as “temporarily idled”
