UPDATE: Bidders trigger auction process for Blackjewel Coal holdings

An auction is taking place that could put some Blackjewel coal miners back to work. Attorneys representing the cash-strapped company will take bids for Blackjewel’s operations in Wyoming and West Virginia. Bristol Tennessee-based Contura Energy has already submitted a $20 million bid but other qualifying offers triggered the auction process. There’s still no indication if companies would be able to purchase mines in Virginia and Kentucky that shut down after Blackjewel’s bankruptcy announcement.