An appeal of the permit issued for Wyoming’s first new coal mine in 40 years has been dismissed by the Wyoming Environmental Quality Council.
Ramaco Carbon, which plans to build the Brooks Mine north of Sheridan, announced Thursday that the EQC had dismissed the appeal filed by the Powder River Basin Resource Council.
The decision clears the way for the development of the Brooks Mine, which will provide coal for Ramaco’s research activity and for manufacturing advanced carbon products and materials.
“We are delighted that the EQC has brought this almost decade-long permit odyssey to an end,” said Ramaco CEO Randall Atkins. “We salute the professionalism of the DEQ and look forward to going to work developing our coal-to-products technology platform.
Ramaco is a carbon technology company based in Sheridan that is focusing on using coal to produce carbon materials such as carbon fiber.
The state Department of Environmental Quality in July approved the mine permit for Brooks Mine in July, but the PRBRC appealed the decision.
Atkins, in a statement, praised the EQC’s decision.
“This frivolous opposition has unfortunately cost Wyoming new jobs and taxpayers money while delaying our ability to do business,” he said. “The EQC fortunately, and wisely for Wyoming, has put a stop to this.”
