A total of six workers were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and asset damage is still being assessed at America’s largest producing coal mine, the North Antelope Rochelle (NARM) complex in Wyoming, after a tornado struck the property on June 23.
A spokesperson for the mine’s owner, Peabody Energy, told Miners News and North American Mining magazine on Monday morning, June 26, that its workforce began returning to partial operations the prior day.
“Initially, focus will be on restoring the train loading dock and the NARM North facility, where some power has been restored,” the official said. “We anticipate resuming loading trains within 48 hours.”
Peabody noted that there are other parts of the mine which will require power line restoration before they can return to operation. For example, rail cars toppled by the tornado and derailed will need to be recovered.
“Peabody is coordinating with local authorities to ensure mine operations are restored as quickly and safely as possible,” the operator added, confirming that all six of the hospitalized workers have now been released.
The company fully suspended operations at NARM on Friday evening following the storm, though it confirmed at the time all of its workforce was accounted for. According to local media reports, the mine was undergoing shift change at the time of the storm.
A U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) representative did not respond to a request for comment as of press time on June 26.
Keep watching Miners News for more information on this story as it becomes available.