Nothing sweet about Maple Creek row as buyers consider options

摘要

At least one buyer of coal from Maple Creek Mining's High Quality mine is taking a wait-and-see approach, albeit nervously, before wading back into the high-vol market for tonnage to replace material from the recently idled operation. A Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board session, which will determine the fate of the mine, ended November 23. Maple Creek appealed to the board after a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection decision disallowed longwall mining at the High Quality 6 East panel (See related story in today's edition). The DEP maintains tiny that a tiny stream near the site will be irreparably damaged. Maple Creek asked the Environmental hearing Board to grant supersedeas, which would overturn the DEP ruling. Few industry experts appear willing to predict the outcome of the hearing.