By Carra Higgins - Staff Writer , The Inter-Mountain
Facility would create approximately 250 jobs
A new Metinvest mining operation planned for the Ellamore area of Randolph County received the Randolph County Development Authority's stamp of approval Wednesday.
RCDA board members learned that the Roaring Creek deep-mining facility will create approximately 250 direct jobs, which will have average wages of $18 to $30 an hour. For each of the 250 people employed at the mine, approximately five other jobs will be created.
Roaring Creek Coal Co. Project Manger Rick Kim explained the mine is currently in the permitting stage; however, he expects site development to begin in July, with underground preparation to commence by September. Kim says the mine should be ready to produce coal by January 2013. The full cost of what will be the largest project for United Coal is estimated at $150 million.
"We've got a pretty exciting project that we're getting ready to embark on," Kim said. "We really think there are a lot of positive attributes for not only our company, but Randolph County and the surrounding counties as far as job creation in the area."
To help minimize the affects of coal trucks, Roaring Creek Coal Company is planning to re-install an approximate 11.5 mile stretch of a railroad tracks, which will enable the coal to be transported by train. The company is working with the West Virginia Development Office and the Department of Transportation to obtain state funding over the next two years to construct the rail line.
Jim Mosby, West Virginia Development Office manager of Business Retention & Expansion for Region 3, told RCDA members that approximately 1 percent of state highway money is set aside for improving roads that will be used by industry. By assisting businesses, economic development is encouraged, he added.
"We've endorsed the project," Mosby said. "It will also bring a lot of tax dollars to the county and ancillary jobs."
Kim says the seam of coal that will be mined is high-quality metallurgical that is often used for steel production.
Approximately 50 percent of Metinvest's production stays in the United States, while the other half is shipped overseas. Kim said many may be familiar with Metinvest's subsidiary Carter Roag.
"The company has undergone some expansion in the past few years and we anticipate that to continue through the next five to 10 years," Kim added.
Kim also says the company takes "great pride in our environmental stewardship."
"We expect to be as good of a neighbor as we have been able to do over the last few years with Carter Roag," Kim said.
The company is expecting to hire those who are new to the mining industry as well as those who are experienced, but who are currently traveling out of the area for jobs.
RCDA members voted to "strongly" lend its support the mining operation and encourages the Randolph County Commission to also do so.
RCDA President Bonnie Serret called the future mine an "exciting" project for the county.