Wyoming workers affected

The overwhelming majority of Spring Creek miners live in northern Wyoming. The mine is located about 30 miles from Sheridan.

Dixie Johnson, CEO of Sheridan County of Chamber Commerce, estimated that at least 95 percent of Spring Creek mine workers live in Sheridan County.

“We are really hopeful that this is a short-term situation that will be resolved soon,” Johnson said. “I would I hate to (consider) the worst of the worst, but we know in our community that the employees living in Sheridan County and working at Spring Creek — they have families and children going to school.”

The closures could also quickly impact subcontractors and businesses providing services to the mine, she added.

“This could have a ripple affect,” Johnson said.

Sheridan Mayor Roger Miller also said a long-term mine closure could have a “serious effect on the community.”

“We hope that Montana and the mine company can work this out,” Miller told the Star-Tribune. “At this time, we don’t know all the details, but the city will help the best we can … we will keep workers high on our minds.”