Colorado Coal Mine Road Construction Blocked by Tenth Circuit

Mountain Coal Co. LLC can’t continue road work as part of a coal mine expansion in western Colorado, the Tenth Circuit ruled in a win for environmental groups who argued the Arch Resources Inc. subsidiary was violating the court’s mandate.

The Sierra Club, WildEarth Guardians, Center for Biological Diversity, and others sought an injunction after the appeals court vacated the North Fork exception to the Colorado Roadless Rule, which prevents road construction in protected areas.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado rejected their request to stop construction Oct. 2. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth ...