Post by
Coalmnr on Apr 16, 2014 1:43am
new elk looking to re-open mine
Trinidad and las animas county news 7 hours ago . New Elk Coal Mine Representatives Looking to re-open mine in Las Animas County New Board, New CEO may bring needed mining jobs to #TRINIDADLASANIMASCOUNTY PHOTO BY #TRINIDADLASANIMASCOUNTYNEWS TRINIDAD-----During Tuesday mornings Las Animas County Board of County Commissioners meeting, representatives from Cline Mine the owners of the New Elk Coal Mine located in Western Las Animas County spoke to the BOCC about their new Board of Directors, newly appointed CEO and about trying to work something out to re-open the New Elk Coal mine which if true would bring in needed jobs into the #TRINIDADLASANIMASCOUNTY area. New Elk is currently looking for contracts and ways to re-open the mine. Back in December 2012 Cline Mine was unable to make a $2.5 million payment and their stocks fell over 60 in Canada. “We hope they get something going, and hire some local workers.” Las Animas County Commissioner Mack Louden said Tuesday, “They really didn’t promise us anything, this was unexpected, hopefully this becomes a positive for our county.” In May of 2012 the mine laid off over 70 workers, then in July of 2012 the mine officially let go of 225 more mine workers, when the mine opened in December of 2011 they reportedly had 305 employees working at the mine generating about 470,000 tons of coal before the 2012 lay-offs. Local miners filed a lawsuit against the New Elk Coal Mine late in 2012 claiming them mine violated numerous federal workers laws including a law that must give workers 60 advanced notice of mass layoffs under the WARN Act. A second suit came from a former miner who lost both of his legs in an accident inside the mine. Early 2013 the mine entered into a financial restructuring agreement. “It sounds like something real positive for our community.” Trinidad City Councilman Joe Bonato told #TRINIDADLASANIMSCOUNTYNEWS Tuesday morning. “We need positives like putting our citizens back to work, I really hope this brings something positive back to our little town.” New Elk in January of 2012 had claimed they were going hire 150 new miners and by the end of 2013 they company claimed that their goal was to have 500 workers at the mine. New Elk was also in talks in 2012 with Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroads about using the railroad tracks coming out of the mine into Jansen a small town west of #TRINIDAD, coal up until the time of the mine closing had been moving the coal by trucks down highway to the Old Sopris Road. A retired miner and local business man told #TRINIDADLASANIMASCOUNTYNEWS. “We need to ask, will this restructuring benefit the workers, their rights, and most importantly their safety? Where will the coal be shipped, to save money will they use the railroad track from up the river into town? Hopefully this is not just smoke and mirrors that will put our workforce and town in jeopardy. Trinidad City Manger Tom Acre who was at the BOCC meeting could not be reached for comment. Cline Mining said they had no further comment.