BHP Billiton officials have announced the sale of their Navajo mine, located near Fruitland, New Mexico, USA, to the Navajo Transitional Energy Co. (NTEC), which, upon approval by Four Corners Power Plant owners for supplies through 2031, will take effect on December 1. BHP will operate the plant through 2016, and the project is estimated to generate more than $5 billion in local economic growth.
Representatives at BHP hailed the development. “BHP is pleased to have worked with the Navajo Nation to secure the mine and the benefits it provides to the Navajo Nation, employees, communities and other stakeholders,” said New Mexico Coal Asset President Pat Risner.
The transaction, according to company officials, will extend the life of the Navajo mine and the plant 15 years to beyond 2015 with direct employment of 800 people, while generating revenue contributing more than 30% of the Navajo Nation’s general fund.
Altogether, according to Arizona State University, the project will yield 2,069 direct and indirect jobs with an economic contribution of $372 million in San Juan County annually between 2016 and 2031. In all, this represents growth of $5.5 billion over 15 years. The Navajo mine and its approximately 430 employees, 85% of whom are Native American, have supplied fuel to the plant for 50 years.
