The coal mining group is now looking to begin the reclamation process at the Eagle Pass mine as required under the Texas Railroad Commission permits. On July 6, 2020, they filed the necessary request documents to begin this process.
It's unclear when the coal company will begin to proceed with the reclamation and close up the open air coal mine that had been the focal point of a fight in Maverick County for close to three decades.
The parent company that was embroiled in many controversial fights in the courts are now basically shutting down because their contract with the Federal Electricity Commission in Mexico was terminated.
The low grade Coal produced in the Eagle Pass mine is a tough sell and would have limited use anywhere other than the two coal plants in Mexico where it was being sent to.
The sudden closure brings an end to a contentious chapter in our community's history that had many split opinions not only among community members but public officials.
The end of the coal mining business in Maverick County will certainly have many negative effects, both seen and unseen.
Hundreds of direct and indirect jobs are on the line. Both the Eagle Pass Independent School District and County of Maverick will also be left with a gap to fill regarding ad valorem taxes paid by the coal company as well, which are close to $1,000,000 a year.
Back in June, Mexican Government’s Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) canceled its contract with Altos Hornos de Mexico (AHMSA) which affects the Eagle Pass operation as of July 1st.
According to employment information provided by DRCP representatives in the past, that will leave up to 400 employees without a job.
There are many variables in play including the negative impact that it will create to the local economy, tax support, unemployment figures and hundreds of families who will potentially be affected in so many ways.
This also ends a long-drawn battle that at times had a feel of David versus Goliath which was fought intensely by both proponents and opponents even while the mining company was already in operation.