Alpha Natural Resources confirms 261 W.Va. layoffs
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Alpha Natural Resources has idled three southern West Virginia mining complexes and laid off 261 employees.
A company news release says it will idle surface mines Independence Coal’s Twilight, Pioneer Fuels’ Ewing Fork No. 1 and Marsh Fork. The mines are in in Boone, Kanawha and Raleigh counties.
Two mines are connected to a July warning notice that 1,100 mine Southern West Virginia employees could face layoffs by mid-October.
Marsh Fork was not part of the July notice.
The notice mentioned 11 mine sites. The company moved back anticipated idling dates for eight of the mines to Nov. 26. One location, Alex Energy’s Edwight mine in Raleigh, did not extend its warning notice and will operate as usual.
Alpha pointed to federal regulations and dismal market conditions for its layoffs.