(Coal mine photo courtesy US Geographical Survey)
OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) - A western Kentucky county has approved changes that will allow a new coal mine to be opened, but with some restrictions once mining begins.
The Daviess County Fiscal court voted unanimously Thursday night to uphold the rezoning of 692.3 acres in the southern end of the county at the behest of Western Kentucky Mining.
County officials placed some limits on what type of equipment could be used at the mine and when the mine could operate.
Western Kentucky Minerals officials estimate that about 2.1 million tons of coal are embedded in the land it wants to mine through surface or strip mining techniques.
An attorney representing homeowners who oppose the mine, Ken Overstreet, told The Messenger-Inquirer (http://bit.ly/QJfzaK ) that no decision has been made whether to challenge the mine in court.
