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$290M coal mine could create at least 200 jobs <br />Page 2 of 2 <br />Red Cliff Mine will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and eventually displace, and dwarf, <br />McClane Canyon Mine a few miles to the north. <br />The company anticipates 200 to 250 employees working at the mine at full operation and forecasts 486 <br />indirect jobs. <br />The actual mine will be in Garfield County with the portal and outbuildings in Mesa County. <br />McClane Canyon Mine, also owned by Rhino Energy, now sends 230 truckloads of coal a day down <br />Colorado 139, bound for Xcel's Cameo Power Plant. <br />If Rhino Energy's plans proceed as anticipated, the mine would become the biggest customer for Grand <br />Valley Power, said Steve Don, manager of engineering for Grand Valley. <br />The mine is within Grand Valley's service area and will be serviced with a 69-kilovolt transmission line <br />about 14 miles long, depending on the eventual route it takes, Don said. <br />Constructing the power line will likely take about six months, Don said. <br />The Colorado Environmental Coalition will monitor the BLM's approval process for the mine, said Joe <br />Neuhof, Western Slope field director. <br />The coalition wants to make sure the mine "doesn't affect that amazing viewshed up there," Neuhof <br />said. <br />Venting of methane gas from the mine also is a potential issue, both because it could contribute to global <br />warming and because vents might be in the area of Hunter Canyon, which has been proposed by the <br />coalition for recognition as a wilderness area. <br />Rhino also is considering using collection systems for methane. <br />The coalition will be watching vent placement closely, Neuhof said. <br />Email GARY HARMON <br />Vote for this story! <br />Find this article at: <br />http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/news/stodes/2009/02/05/020609 Red Cliff Mine.html <br />? Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. <br />http: //cox. printthis. clickability. com/ptlcpt?action=cpt&title=%24290M+coal+mine+could+... 2/6/2009