Colorado Coal Company Wants To Buy 2 Idle Mines In Wyoming
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) -- A Colorado company says it wants to buy two idle Wyoming coal mines. Littleton-based Aspen Coal and Energy has made an offer to buy the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr mines from Milton, West Virginia-based Blackjewel.
The mines have been idle since Blackjewel filed for bankruptcy July 1. Aspen Coal proposes paying up to $44 million to a Blackjewel creditor and $50 million to the U.S. government, which Blackjewel owes mineral royalties.
Bristol, Tennessee-based Contura Energy won the mines at auction in August but the sale awaits federal approval. If the sale goes through, Contura plans to sell the mines to Jasper, Alabama-based FM Coal. Contura officials told the Casper Star-Tribune on Thursday they're not interested in the new offer.
Blackjewel officials did not respond to a request for comment.
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