By Bob Cox, Mountain Valley News staff
Last November Bowie Resources Mine Manager Brad Hanson was trying to dispel rumors about the closing of the Bowie mine near Somerset. CEO Keith Sieber was on hand at the time to help discredit those rumors, saying that, while paying some vendors had been a problem, Bowie was looking at new funding resources and planned to be producing coal well into the future.
Now, Hanson has more rumors, but some turn out to have at least a basis in truth. One rumor floating around the Paonia area is that the mine is planning on closing, some even give an exact date of July 25th. “False,” says Hanson. He says that the mine is going to remain open.
But one rumor is not a rumor at all. Those who have heard that Hanson is leaving Bowie Resources have heard right.
“I will be taking the position of COO for Signal Peak Energy in Roundup, Montana,” Hanson said last Wednesday.
The Signal Peak Mine, located just outside the town of Roundup, is the only underground coal mine in Montana, and like the North Fork mines, produces a low-sulfur coal that is in demand for its clean burning qualities. The Wayne Boich family and First Energy Co. bought the mine in 2008. They say it has the potential of becoming the most productive single long wall mine in the U.S.
Hanson says he has mixed feelings about leaving Bowie, but first talked to the Boich family in May. “We (Bowie) have been working on some financing options for 54 weeks,” Hanson said. He explained that, so far, the owners have not agreed on any of the financing options. “We are holding our own and paying for supplies and making payroll,” he says, but also says he thinks it is a good time for him to move on.
“I had a communications meeting this morning (July 14). I did not have a lot of good news,” Hanson said. He said he will start with Signal Peak on August 2, 2010.
Last November Hanson displayed some deep feelings about Bowie. “This is basically my mine. Our guys (miners and other employees) are the best. We are not going away. We are not closing.” Now Hanson says the mine will have to get along without him.
Hanson says he has no intention of getting rid of his properties yet. “The gym in Hotchkiss will remain open,” he said, explaining that he has arranged with relatives to operate the facility.
A spokesperson for Signal Energy has not been available for comment.
