Mar 30, 2024 By Mike Jones 4 min read

The company that owns Cumberland Mine said it idled operations last week after elevated levels of methane gas were detected underground, although it does not know when it will resume production.

In a statement released Thursday night, Iron Senergy disputed claims by the United Mine Workers of America that the company is planning to permanently close the operation in Greene County and lay off 550 union workers, despite a letter the company sent Wednesday to federal regulators appearing to contradict its own message.

The company said it sent workers home on March 20 due to the high methane levels, and they will be recalled when the mine can be “operated safely and compliantly.” In addition, Iron Senergy noted that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland this week is expected to cause shipping delays for its coal exports leaving the Port of Baltimore.

“Subject to the foregoing, Iron fully expects to resume production in the coming days as previously planned,” the company said in a statement.

UMWA International President Cecil Roberts said in a statement Thursday the company has refused to meet with union leaders, and that sentiment was echoed by Greene County officials who said they were blindsided by the situation. The UMWA said it first learned about a potential shutdown when it reviewed plans the company submitted recently to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

UMWA spokeswoman Erin Bates said Friday they were aware of the statement put out by the company Thursday night, and referred to a letter Iron Senergy sent to MSHA on Wednesday, which she said clearly indicated the permanent closure of Cumberland Mine is imminent.

“The enclosed plan is being submitted for your review and approval. After the completion of 77 LW panel, production will cease, assets will be removed, and Cumberland Mine will be sealed following the steps in the attached plan,” mine engineer Jonathon Chmelik wrote in his letter to MSHA, followed by a 13-page plan detailing the closure.

Bates pointed to specific language in the plan that states “all longwall equipment will be extracted” regarding completion of 77 Longwall Panel in Cumberland Mine.

“Given that they are currently mining 77 Longwall Panel, it raises concerns when the company files a plan like this and then disregards our attempts to engage in discussion when we seek clarification,” Bates said in a written statement.

The company said in its statement that the plan it submitted to MSHA was an overall evaluation of the mine and did not necessarily indicate plans to permanently shutter the mine. Company officials could not be reached for comment Friday on why the letter to MSHA stated its intention to remove equipment and seal the mine.

“However, like every other coal producer in the United States, Iron will continue to evaluate the continued operation of the Cumberland Mine based on a number of relevant factors, including its ability to operate a safe and compliant coal mine, its ability to adequately staff its operations with qualified personnel, and its view on the long-term commitment of its customer base,” the company stated in its press release.

The company also stated in its press release that it has denied meeting requests this week with union officials due to the upcoming Easter holiday.

“Iron has a well-documented history of meeting regularly with the UMWA to discuss issues and will continue to engage as needed and when reasonably convenient. Iron will not, however, respond to unreasonable demands for in-person meetings, on short notice, ahead of a holiday weekend, when management is traveling and/or spending time with family,” the company said in its release. “Prior to the issuance of the aforementioned UMWA press release, Iron made it clear in written communications to the UMWA that Iron is willing to schedule a meeting in the near future when mutually convenient for the parties.”

Bates reiterated the UMWA’s hopes that the company will meet with the union leaders and its workers to communicate what its plans are for Cumberland Mine.

“It’s noteworthy that despite our inquiries, no one in management has returned our calls,” she said. “Our members and their families deserve to be informed about such matters, on their terms and timeline, rather than having information withheld based on ‘executives’ vacation schedules.'”

Iron Senergy purchased Cumberland Mine in late 2020, and employs about 700 workers.