Patriot Coal Cutting Production

{Charleston, West Virginia}...St. Louis-based Patriot Coal announced Thursday it is cutting production at three southern West Virginia mining complexes. The announcement came on the day Patriot announced it had a net loss of $38.3 million in the fourth quarter and $115.5 million for 2011. The Big Mountain Mining complex near Wharton and Van in Boone County was idled Thursday. The mine produces thermal coal used in the generation of electricity. Patriot also announced it is reducing production at its Wells and Rocklick mining complexes. Company executives say there has been pressure on electric utilities that operate coal-fired power plants to come in line with new regulations from the federal EPA. Many coal industry supporters fear the switch to natural gas will severely hurt coal. The move comes just days after Patriot announced it was idling five more operations in southern West Virginia which mine metallurgical coal. Demand for the coal to produce steel overseas has also declined in recent months.