Westmoreland Coal Co., one of the oldest coal companies in the U.S., said yesterday that it expects to emerge from bankruptcy in coming weeks after a judge approved a plan that will keep its mines running in Montana, New Mexico and several other states and Canadian provinces, the Associated Press reported. Westmoreland will keep its name but get new leadership as creditors take control a firm that fell more than $1.4 billion into debt amid declining coal markets. The company’s Kemmerer Mine in Wyoming is being sold off to Virginia businessman Tom Clarke. Bankruptcy Judge <b>David Jones</b> approved the company’s reorganization plan Saturday. All jobs at the mines being sold to the creditors — more than 1,000 positions — will be preserved, Westmoreland spokeswoman Jaimee Pavia said.
