Group Objects to Transfer of Coal Mine Permits in Wyoming

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — The Powder River Basin Resource Council is objecting to the proposed transfer of mining permits for the Belle Ayr and Eagle Butte coal mines in northeast Wyoming.

The organization filed an objection with the Wyoming Environmental Quality Council over Contura Energy's proposal to transfer its permits to Blackjewel LLC.

The Resource Council maintains that the permit transfers fail to meet criteria of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act on reclamation bonding standards and that Blackjewel fails to meet state and federal criteria as a qualified operator.

The Resource Council also contends that reclamation bond information associated with the proposed transfer is being illegally withheld from public inspection.

In December 2017, Contura sold the two mines to Blackjewel.