FLAGSTAFF - The federal agency that regulates surface mining has approved a permit revision that combines the facilities and coal reserves of two northeastern Arizona coal mines.

The life of mine permit covers Peabody Energy's Kayenta Mine and allows operations to continue there until 2026. The Office of Surface Mining approved it Monday.

The Kayenta permit now includes coal reserves from the shuttered Black Mesa mine, although Peabody has said it has no immediate plans to resume mining there. The federal agency says that would require a separate permitting process.

Environmentalists had fought to keep the agency from issuing the decision, saying they weren't given enough time to comment. They also claimed the cultural and spiritual aspects of mining never were fully addressed.