Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mining And Extraction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Coteau Freedom Mine presents plans for 2025: 13.5 million‑ton projection, exploratory drilling and reclamation process explained
Summary
Coteau Freedom Mine told the Mercer County Commission that 2025 operations will be similar in scale to recent years — about 13.5 million tons delivered — and detailed exploratory drilling, groundwater monitoring, sedimentation controls, and the process for staged bond release and reclamation inspections.
Darren Hellman, speaking for Coteau Freedom Mine, told Mercer County commissioners the mine’s 2025 plan calls for production roughly in line with recent years and outlined the company’s work on exploratory drilling, groundwater and surface‑water monitoring, and reclamation.
“This is pretty broad. I have some a little handout for each of you that has more details on it,” Hellman said, introducing maps and a written packet. He said the mine’s 2025 projection is “roughly 13 to 13,500,000 tons” delivered to its customer Dakota Coating, a Basin Electric subsidiary.
Hellman said the company obtained a temporary use permit in December to conduct exploratory drilling and to install groundwater monitoring wells in areas outside the currently permitted footprint. “That's for groundwater monitoring wells so that we know if we're having any effect,” he said, and added the exploratory work helps measure coal seam depth and quality should the company seek permit expansions.
On road closures and openings, Hellman said any county road that was closed for mining must be reopened by county resolution and undergo inspection by the county road superintendent before public travel resumes. He described the ponding and drainage system the mine uses: “All water in our permitted area has to go through the sedimentation pond before it leaves the line…Every bit of rain rainfall in this area goes into a sedimentation pond of some type.”
Hellman described the mine’s staged bond‑release process and inspections by the Public Service Commission (PSC). Bond release requires an application, preliminary completeness review, on‑site inspections, correction of deficiencies, and final determination. “All that can happen over the course of a year and a half from when we apply for bond release,” he said.
He also discussed outreach: the company said it provides blasting notifications within two miles of active blasting areas and phone calls to residents within a half mile for each blast. Hellman encouraged commissioners to direct constituents who have concerns to contact the mine: “if anyone brings any concern to you regarding Coteau or activities out there, you have somewhere a channel to go to address them. Contact me, and I'll go from there.”
The presentation included maps showing roughly 122 acres of planned new topsoil disturbance in one east‑side area for 2025 and a larger, 337‑acre stripping area elsewhere. Hellman noted that the annual mine plan and soils‑handling plan submitted to regulators constrain the company's operational details for the year once approved.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about reclamation options, whether private landowners could request alternate reclamation outcomes and how the company coordinates with the state PSC and county on road reopenings. Hellman said private landowner preferences can be submitted to the PSC with the company’s and landowner’s agreement and that the PSC inspects work regularly.
The presentation closed with an offer of continued communication and an invitation for tours of the mine and its facilities.
