Eagle Specialty Materials is now the official owner of Contura Energy’s PRB assets, including the Belle Ayre mine (above). (Photo: Vikki Strande)
U.S.-based Contura Energy Inc. has officially ended its connection to the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. Effective May 29, two previously wholly-owned subsidiaries of Contura Energy — Contura Coal West LLC (Contura Coal West) and Contura Wyoming Land LLC (Contura Wyoming) — have merged with certain subsidiaries of Eagle Specialty Materials LLC (ESM).
Contura Coal West still holds the mining permits for the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr mines, which have been under the operational control of ESM since October 2019.
“With today’s announcement, Contura has completed the final element of its yearslong exit from the Powder River Basin,” Contura Chairman and CEO David Stetson said. “We are pleased to conclude this clean-up transaction and continue our focus on operating and developing our Central Appalachian metallurgical properties.”
ESM will pay Contura Energy $625,000 in cash consideration for assets owned by Contura Coal West but not previously conveyed.
