Land Board leases 12M tons of coal to Roundup mine

BILLINGS — The Montana Land Board leased 12 million tons of state-owned coal to a mine near Roundup on Monday, despite concerns about its worker safety record and potential environmental impacts.

The five-member land board voted unanimously to accept a $3.6 million upfront bid for the coal from Signal Peak Energy. The owner of the Bull Mountain Mine offered the sole bid on the 640-acre tract.

State officials estimated the 10-year lease will bring Montana more than $15 million in royalties and other revenues.

Union representatives unsuccessfully sought provisions in the lease to protect worker...