January 25, 2025 - Russell County Reclamation officials met with regional economic leaders on Jan. 19 to discuss the organization’s plans for the old Moss 3 coal mining site.

John Matney and Clyde Stacy discussed the site’s history, present condition and future plans with representatives from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, Cumberland Plateau Planning District and Russell County officials.

A before and after look of the building pad at the old Moss 3 site

Submitted photo

Matney said Russell County Reclamation continues to recycle coal waste from refuse piles into fuel for the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Complex. He said RCR has repurposed and reclaimed the former Moss 3 Coal Processing Plant into 232 acres of prime development land for the county’s Industrial Development Authority. This, Matney said, has prevented thousands of tons of coal waste from potentially leaching into nearby streams and protected rivers.

“There is probably not a better site in all of Virginia for economic development,” Matney said. He pointed to an area of reclaimed land that could hold a one million square foot building pad. “This site could be a super industrial site.”

“Additionally,” Matney explained, “RCR has the potential to recycle waste shale rock into a lightweight aggregate capable of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent as compared to traditional cement.”

Stacy added that the shale rock on site could provide hundreds of jobs for 50-75 years alone.

Matney added that with such a large supply of shale rock available, the area would be attractive to block or cement companies who wish to expand.

Other potential uses of the land include solar and wind farming, as well as trials and other economic development opportunities, officials said.

The most controversial plan for the site is a proposed landfill.

“Many people think the entire 1,200 acres will be a landfill,” Matney said. “That’s not true.”

Stacy said the landfill will be 30 acres at first with the potential of expansion. Russell County and neighboring counties would deposit municipal, or household, waste at the landfill. He said the land has been permitted as a refuse site since the late 1950s.

Stacy pointed out that the counties in question currently truck their waste to a landfill in Blountville, Tennessee. By having a local landfill, the counties of Southwest Virginia would save considerable amounts of money. He added that in order to make the landfill financially viable, household trash from outside the region would need to be brought in via train.

Stacy also said that RCR would have a nearly $100 million investment in the landfill before it opened.

RCR officials will host an informational meeting with the general public on Jan. 29 at the Russell County Government Center. That meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.