Rep. Peter J. Daley (D-Washington) and Rep. Ted Harhai (D-Westmoreland) Friday hailed the imminent start of reclamation efforts at the Mathies Mine in Washington County.

"Improving the site will improve safety in the area and job prospects in the Mon Valley," Rep. Daley said. "Improving the property's value and viability is a welcome step."

"We also appreciate that a local business was awarded the $230,000 reclamation contract," Harhai said.

Canestrale Environmental Control Corp. of Belle Vernon won the bond-forfeiture project, which is expected to get underway soon. The site is part of a 1,300-acre property once mined by the Mon View Mining Co. in Carroll, North Strabane, Nottingham and Union townships.

Six mine shafts and 17 boreholes will be sealed, and four mine shaft housings and two temporary mine-shaft seals will be demolished. Safety fencing will be installed around the sealed shafts, and enclosures and an access gate also will be built. One acre will be re-vegetated.

The project is expected to be completed in mid-May.

At its peak, the Mathies Mine employed about 200 people before Mon View filed for bankruptcy in 2005. The Mathies Mine was purchased late last March in bankruptcy court by the A.T. Massey Coal Co.

"The work at the old mine represents an investment in the region," Rep. Harhai said.

"It's all part of southwestern Pennsylvania's resurgence in energy production," Rep. Daley said. "Washington County will be better prepared for more jobs and investment through this project."

1/28/2013