Source: The Daily Item
MOUNT CARMEL — A coal mine will reopen near Mount Carmel, bringing up to 30 high-paying jobs to the area.
Blaschak Coal Corporation, of Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, will receive a $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant to “re-engineer, reopen and redevelop a large reserve of Mammoth” anthracite coal in the mine, according to Gov. Tom Wolf’s office.
The projected 25 to 30 new United Mine Workers of America employees will make wages that are more than double the median household income of the region, Wolf’s office said. The mine, touted by Wolf as “the largest new mining operation in the region,” is expected to be productive for more than 20 years, after which the land will be reclaimed.
“It’s a huge deal,” said Mount Carmel Mayor Philip “Bing” Cimino. “I have friends that work in coal mines, there are local mining operations going on around here.
“This is a big boost. It seems like Mount Carmel is on a good upswing lately, and this is just another added bonus.”
Cimino said Blaschak has a current mine that is about three to four miles from the borough.
Attempts to reach Blaschak officials were unsuccessful Wednesday evening.
“The coal mining industry is what we were founded on,” Cimino said. “Bringing the mines back is a great sign.”
“I will continue to partner with industry and our local communities to ensure that the commonwealth reaps the greatest possible benefit from our resources, so that our communities, our industries, and our workforce can thrive and Pennsylvania will remain competitive in the manufacturing economy,” Wolf said.
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