BLM approves lease for expansion of existing Pollyanna 8 Coal Mine in LeFlore County, Oklahoma
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In keeping with the Administration’s priority of energy Independence, and encouraging environmentally-responsible development of energy and minerals on public lands, the Bureau of Land Management issued approval of a Lease Modification Application allowing for the expansion of the existing Pollyanna 8 underground coal mine (also known as the South Central Coal Mine) in LeFlore County, Oklahoma (Lease OKNM 091190). Approved on May 25, 2018, the coal lease will be operated by Georges Colliers, Inc. (GCI), and permits the expansion of an additional 520-acres tract of Federal coal reserves directly adjacent to the existing Pollyanna 8 Mine.
The tract consists of approximately 5.6 million tons of federally owned coal (3.37 million tons of recoverable coal) overlain by privately owned surface acres in eastern Oklahoma. As the subsurface mineral administrators, the BLM completed an environmental assessment, land use analysis, finding of no significant impacts and a decision record authorizing the action in March of 2018. Those documents can be found at www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/new-mexico/coal, under the “Project ePlanning Site” link for the Pollyanna 8 LMA.
There are three coal mines in Leflore County (including Pollyanna 8) producing an estimated 526,000 tons of coal annually. The Pollyanna 8 coal mine has been in operation since 1995 and produces approximately 400,000 tons annually. Coal mined from the Pollyanna 8 mine is primarily consumed within the State of Oklahoma. The Pollyanna 8 mine accounted for 59 percent of annual production for the state in 2016. This level of production is expected to continue under the authorized action. Based on the estimated amount of recoverable coal present in the LMA tract, this translates to an extension of the operational life of the mine by approximately eight years.
For more information about the Pollyanna 8 LMA, please contact BLM Mine Engineer Anthony Bates at 505-954-2013.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.