(The Center Square) – A mining project in northeast Tennessee is moving forward after receiving approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Hurricane Creek Mining plans to mine 635 acres on Bryson Mountain in Claiborne County over the next 10 years, the department said. Up to 1.8 million tons of coal could be extracted, which would support the steelmaking and power-generating industries.
The project has moved through federal and state regulators for more than two years but was expedited after President Donald Trump issued an executive order to stop what he called “discriminatory” practices against the coal industry.
“This directs all departments and agencies of the federal government to end all discriminatory policies against the coal industry,” said White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf in a previous story published on The Center Square. “This ends the leasing moratorium that prevents new coal projects on federal land, and it’s going to accelerate all permitting and funding for new coal projects.”
The federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement held a public comment period in August 2023. No one made comments or requested site visits, according to information filed with the Interior Department.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation held a public hearing in January 2024. Some residents testified they supported the mine because it would bring jobs and tax dollars to the area.
The coal seams have specialty coal used for steelmaking or special industrial uses, the Interior Department said.
“This project reflects a broader shift, one where American resources are being put to work for American strength,” said acting assistant secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess. “We’re not just issuing permits – we’re supporting communities, securing supply chains for critical industries, and making sure the U.S. stays competitive in a changing global energy landscape.”
