Wyoming: 31 Blackjewel workers still owed $164,000

GILLETTE, Wyo. – Wyoming officials say a bankrupt coal company has failed to pay 31 workers $164,000 in wages and benefits.

They say the number of workers owed money is likely higher but few have filed claims with the state out of fear of retaliation.

Milton, West Virginia-based Blackjewel owed over 500 Wyoming workers unpaid wages and benefits when the company filed for bankruptcy July 1 and closed the gates at two Wyoming mines now owned by Eagle Specialty Materials.

Wyoming officials say Blackjewel hasn’t documented payments it says it has made to workers.

Blackjewel officials didn’t respond to a request for comment Thursday.

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Note: A previous version of this Associated Press article appeared to confuse the purchaser of Blackjewel’s mines with the purchaser of the Cloud Peak mines.  Eagle Specialty Materials (a subsidiary of FM Coal) now owns Black Jewel’s former mines while Navajo Transitional Energy Company owns Cloud Peaks former mines.