Three operating affiliates of US based metallurgical coal producer Alpha Natural Resources have sent Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notices to 292 employees working at six of its mines in the US.
The company notified the workers that it might idle the facilities in hope of a potential sale.
The affected mines include Mill Branch Coal Corporation’s Dorchester and Osaka deep mines in Virginia where 134 employees have been served the notice, No.6 mine in Letcher County, Kentucky where 111 employees are working , and Pigeon Creek Processing Corporation’s Plant No.1 in Wise County where 31 employees work.
Around 16 employees from Maxxim Shared Services’ mining operations will also be affected by the company’s decision.
According to reports, the company’s decision to shutter operations is due to the fall in coal demand and strict government regulations that are prompting power generating companies to close existing coal-fired power plants.
Alpha executive vice president of mining operations Keith Hainer said: "This action is consistent with steps Alpha Natural Resources has taken in the past to build a sustainable portfolio of mining assets across the company’s operational footprint."
