260 Workers laid off after West Virginia mine is idled
Published: Dec. 5, 2017 at 11:48 AM EST
A union official says a coal mine in northern West Virginia has been idled, with 260 workers losing their jobs, apparently because of adverse geological conditions and market issues.
Phil Smith, spokesman for the United Mine Workers of America, says another 59 people were laid off a few months ago at the Federal No. 2 mine owned by ERP Compliant Fuels, which has no other mine to transfer the workers to.
He says a few workers remain to prevent flooding and to keep the mine ready to reopen, but coal reserves in that mine are getting thin.
The company did not reply to a request for comment.
In September, CEO Ken McCoy said the mine had some roof falls and other geological issues.
The mine is located about 100 miles northeast of Parkersburg.
