The company that is proposing the Bulldog Coal Mine in southwest Vermilion County has announced it is permanently closing a mine in Carlisle, Indiana. Hallador Energy Company, which operates the Carlisle mine for Sunrise Coal Company, released a statement announcing the closing. The 90 miners who work at Carlisle had been temporarily laid off in January.
Hallador Energy Company President and CEO Brett Bilsland released a statement saying:
‘’After experiencing negative free cash flow at Carlisle over the past 18 months, we have decided to permanently close Carlisle which will further reduce our overall cost structure, maximize per ton coal margins, and reduce current and future capex by utilizing Carlisle equipment and parts at Oaktown. As we reduce coal and parts inventories, we will generate significant cash to be utilized in debt reduction.’’
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources approved a permit for the proposed Bulldog Mine in Vermilion County in April of 2019. But Prairie Rivers Network and some other environmentalists requested an administrative review of the decision. IDNR has scheduled the administrative review hearing for April 2nd.
