The mines’ operators, Marfork Coal, Elk Run Coal and Maxxim Shared Services, issued Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notices on January 25. The last day for workers will be around March 25.
Included in the idles and furloughs are Marfork’s Brushy Eagle, Slip Ridge Cedar Grove, Horse Creek Eagle, Allen Powellton and Coon Cedar Grove underground mines and the Marfork processing plant, all in Raleigh County, West Virginia. About 468 employees and another 40 operational support employees will be impacted.
Additionally, Elk Run’s Hunter Peerless, Seng Creek and Roundbottom Powellton underground mines and the Chess processing plant, all in Boone County, West Virginia, will close, affecting approximately 363 employees plus 15 support staff.
Alpha officials did not outline the closure dates for the mines and plants.
“This action is the direct result of an oversupply of coal in the marketplace, coupled with dramatically reduced demand, which has driven down prices to unsustainable levels — particularly for Central Appalachia coal,” the company said.
Complete WARN notices for Marfork Coal and Elk Run Coal, including a full breakdown of losses by job type, can be found here: ElkRun Coal Co. WARN Notice 1-15-16, Marfork Coal Co. WARN Notice 1-25-16.
Alpha Natural Resources filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August. At the time, it secured an 18-month debtor-in-possession (DIP) package totaling $692 million from Citigroup.
