Officials in Lincoln County, Wyoming, are seeking clarification from ECC Capital Corporation, the owner of the Kemmerer coal mine, as rumors of potential layoffs circulate, News from the States reports.
Despite reports from workers suggesting that management has discussed layoffs, the company has yet to provide official confirmation.
Lincoln County Commission Chairman Kent Connelly expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the mine’s owners.
“The company has put out no press release, given us no numbers,” Connelly said. “The people who work there have said that [the company has] talked to them about it. Beyond that, I can’t get an official thing out of the mine at all. We would like to know what’s happening.”
Kemmerer Mayor Robert Bowen acknowledged that while rumors have been circulating, there has been no concrete evidence to confirm or deny the reports.
“At this point, I’m not saying it’s not going to happen,” Bowen said. “But I’m just skeptical about anything I hear until it does happen, just because I’ve heard so many rumors that, you know, half the time it turned out to be false.”
The Kemmerer mine, which produced 2.4 million tons of coal in 2024 and employed 215 workers, has seen changes in ownership and production levels in recent years. The mine was acquired by ECC Capital Corporation last year from PhenixFIN Corporation, following the 2018 bankruptcy of its previous owner, Westmoreland Coal Co.
The mine supplies coal to the Naughton power plant as well as trona operations in southwest Wyoming and other out-of-state customers. However, its future remains uncertain as the coal industry continues to face economic and regulatory challenges.
While concerns over potential layoffs at the Kemmerer mine grow, officials are also considering new industrial developments in the region. TerraPower’s Natrium nuclear power plant and a trona mining expansion are expected to drive economic growth and increase demand for workers.
“I would think people [if they get laid off] would want to stay here,” Connelly said. “They would probably be trying to get hired on at these other places that are hiring.”
However, Lincoln County Economic Development Director Robert King cautioned that not all projects are guaranteed to move forward. While some industrial expansions appear to be progressing, others, like a proposed solar farm and coal-to-products facility, remain uncertain.
“You can’t really depend on anything until you see concrete going in the ground and buildings going up,” King said. “Too many things can happen in the process.”
