Bridger Coal Gets Go-Ahead For Expanded Mining

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) — The Bureau of Land Management has released a decision authorizing Bridger Coal Co. to expand its federal coal lease by 320 acres for more underground mining northeast of Rock Springs.

Bridger Coal operates the Jim Bridger Coal Mine complex, which provides coal for the Jim Bridger power plant. It had sought to expand its federal coal lease by 320 acres because the federal coal reserves there are estimated to have about 5.7 million tons of mineable coal.

The Bureau of Land Management announced Thursday it had released a decision allowing for the expansion.

The company also is planning to mine connecting private land.