In response to the allegations contained in the news release "Citizens vice concerns regarding reopening of Squaw Creek Coal Mine" Mr Jim Beck public affairs manager at Alcoa’s Warrick Operations said there is no correlation to prior disposal activities at the Squaw Creek and the request to open a new surface coal mine known as Liberty Mine.

He said that "The specific area where coal will be extracted at Liberty Mine has not been previously mined. So there will not be any mining through any of the spoils at the former Squaw Creek Mine."

He said that "Because of the disposal decades ago, Alcoa worked to locate and characterize these specific sites and to prevent any development from ever occurring on them. In fact, these sites are not even contained within the mine boundary."

Mr Beck added that "We have adequately investigated these sites and have worked closely with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for many years. In January, the agency said it considered the investigation into these sites complete and adequate and it agreed with Alcoa's characterization of the sites."

It was reported that concerned citizens of Warrick County, Lower Ohio River Valley and former workers of Squaw Creek mine are requesting public participation in an Indiana Department of Natural Resources informal conference regarding the reopening of Squaw Creek Coal Mine under a new name, Liberty Mine.