Wyoming Coal Mines Lost 153 Jobs Last Year

CASPER, WY. (AP) — Wyoming coal mining lost 153 jobs last year with just over 5,530 workers employed at the close of 2018 at the state’s 16 mines.

The Casper Star-Tribune reports that the state’s mining inspector’s yearly tally of employment and production also says that the numerous contract positions associated with the coal industry in Wyoming remained relatively unchanged, with a loss of just 12 jobs.

The report says the state’s coal production also declined by about 12.5 million tons (11.3 million metric tons).

Wyoming coal’s dramatic decline in 2015 and 2016 resulted in about 1,000 jobs being eliminated and coal production down.

Jobs and production in Wyoming have somewhat stabilized since then with minimal improvements. Between 2017 and 2018, there were just five full-time coal jobs added at Wyoming mines.

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Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com