Latest issueWamsutter-area school board seat is openRead now

Good Day Rock SpringsSubscribe — it’s free

← Rock Springs news

JobsFriday, November 6

WE Soda plans to cut about 350 Sweetwater County jobs as the Westvaco mine changes methods

The Good Day Rock Springs teamFrom Friday’s edition · 1 min read · 3 sources

ShareEmailFacebookX

WE Soda plans to eliminate about 350 jobs in Sweetwater County, 40% of its workforce there. The London-based company bought the mine near Green River in 2025. It announced Wednesday it's switching to solution mining, where trona is dissolved in water underground. The company says that's cheaper, and that it plans to produce less soda ash from trona and reduce exports to Asia and South America because of low-cost soda ash from China.

The layoffs reach the county and state budgets

350
jobs WE Soda plans to cut in Sweetwater County
40%
of its Sweetwater County workforce
$4 million
a year the state mineral trust fund would lose
$1 million
in revenue Sweetwater County alone would lose

Sources: Your Wyoming Link, Wyoming Public Media, Cowboy State Daily

Sweetwater County Treasurer Mark Cowan says the State Permanent Mineral Trust Fund will lose about $4 million a year. "It'll affect schools and teachers," he said.

  • Switch to : about two years
  • Help: city and county are working with workforce agencies
  • Worry: families fear losing health insurance
  • Scale: Rep. Cody Wylie says the cuts equal 3% of the county

The mine's change of course runs from 2025 into next year

  1. 2025London-based WE Soda buys the mine near Green River.
  2. Nov. 4WE Soda announces its switch to and about 350 job cuts.
  3. Early 2027350 workers will lose their jobs at the mine.

Source: Wyoming Public Media

Gov. Mark Gordon and Gov.-elect Eric Barlow called the news "terrible news for this cornerstone industry." They say they're working with state and federal partners to strengthen Wyoming's soda ash industry.

Sources: Your Wyoming Link, Wyoming Public Media, Cowboy State Daily

Read it in the full edition

More from Friday’s edition

Read the edition
Animal ControlThe Women's Club finished a remodeled dog play area at Rock Springs Animal ControlIf you've got a soft spot for shelter dogs, here's good news: the GFWC Women's Club of Sweetwater County has finished a remodeled dog play area at Rock Springs Animal Control, with artificial turf and shade cover. "It will make a huge difference for the dogs," Mayor Max Mickelson said. Money for upgrades is limited because Animal Control falls under the Police Department, Chief Bill Erspamer explained. Funding came from donations by individuals and businesses, a raffle basket at the Green River Farmers Market and International Day in July.Friday’s editionRead

More jobs from local newsrooms

All jobs news

  1. Wyo4NewsYesterday

    The Hidden Cost of the WE Soda Layoffs: A Mental Health Crisis We Cannot Ignore

    By Bruce PivicRock Springs, Wyoming The recent announcement by WE Soda that approximately 350 jobs will be eliminated from its southwest Wyoming operations has sent shock waves through Sweetwater County. The economic consequences are significant, but there is another concern that deserves just as much attention, and perhaps even more. What happens to the mental […]

  2. Cowboy State DailyNov. 10

    Barrasso Blames China For Trona Layoffs: “The Cause Is Clear: It's Communist China”

    At a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Tuesday, Sen. John Barrasso called WE Soda’s layoff announcement of 350 jobs a "devastating blow" and pointed the finger overseas for the industry downturn. “The cause is clear: it's Communist China,” he said.

  3. Wyoming Public MediaNov. 10

    Wyoming jobs slipped slightly in early 2026

    Mostly due to the mining sector, the state saw a decrease in jobs, but payroll climbed by 5.4%.

  4. SVI-NEWSNov. 10

    Union president reacts to news of WE Soda layoffs

    By Trina Dennis Brittain Rocket Miner Via- Wyoming News Exchange ROCK SPRINGS — Community leaders and residents across Sweetwater County are processing the shockwaves of WE Soda’s announcement that it will transition its Westvaco operations to solution mining. It...