Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The Department of the Interior announced Tuesday it has approved a mining plan modification for the Rosebud Mine in Montana.
The decision for the 25,000-acre strip mine in Rosebud and Treasure counties allows the recovery of about 33.75 million tons of federal coal and extends the mine's operation through 2039. It marks the second-largest federal coal mine expansion approved since the beginning of the second President Donald Trump administration, a press release said.
The approval from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement "ensures more than 300 high-paying jobs and strengthens Montana's economy, while advancing the Trump administration's commitment to American Energy Dominance," the release states. Coal from the Rosebud Mine powers the Colstrip and Rosebud power plants, which together can generate more than 1,500 megawatts of electricity.
This energy helps deliver "affordable and reliable" power to American families and businesses across the region, the administration said. The projected annual royalties to be paid to the federal government are more than $9 million.
"This administration is focused on unleashing American energy, creating good-paying jobs and restoring economic certainty for our communities," said Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess. "By responsibly developing our domestic coal resources, we're reducing reliance on foreign energy, strengthening national security and powering America's future."
