Alpha Natural Resources Plans To Downsize West Virginia Mining Operations

(RTTNews) - Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (ANR) Thursday said eight of its operating affiliates have notified their employees that the coal mines and other facilities where they work are subject to being idled due to sustained weak market conditions and government regulations that have challenged the entire Central Appalachian mining industry.

Jobs of about 1,100 employees at are at risk. While no reductions in force are occurring immediately at these sites, they are currently planned to take place by mid-October, the company said.

These actions are being triggered by persistent weakness in U.S. and overseas coal demand and depressed price levels, along with government regulations that are causing electric utilities to close coal-fired power plants and forego new construction. Excess supply of coal worldwide also has contributed to falling coal prices.