mining

In the past, the United Mine Workers of America has accused McConnell of blocking pension and health benefits for miners.

Several other major coal producers have filed for bankruptcy protection this year, including Blackjewel Mining in West Virginia and Cloud Peak Energy in Wyoming.

But conservation groups and other opponents said the U.S. has enough uranium stockpiled to supply decades' worth of defense needs.

The company plans more sampling this summer.

There’s already a 20-year ban on new mining claims on public land north of Yellowstone.

The withdrawal has no bearing on private land, where both companies have plans.

Wyoming's new regulations would factor in a company's credit rating in allowing a company to self-bond.

Officials have yet to complete work including basic risk analyses on about 80 percent of abandoned mining sites on federal lands.

Cloud Peak owns the Antelope and Cordero Rojo mines in Wyoming and the Spring Creek mine in Montana.

The panel is supposed to find ways to remove barriers to drilling and mining while making sure taxpayers aren't shortchanged by energy companies.