For the first time ever, the Texas Railroad Commission has officially closed a mine.
Commissioners decided Alcoa has met requirements to officially shut down the Sandow mine in Milam and Lee counties.
Over the more the 40 year history of the lignite coal mine, more than 200 million tons has come out to generate electricity to power Alcoa’s aluminum smelter operations near Rockdale.
Two weeks ago, a Chinese based bitcoin company announced locating a data center at part of the former Alcoa mine. When it is opened next year, it is supposed to bring 400 jobs in its first two years of operation.