Alpha Natural Resources Closing Mines

Alpha Natural Resources announced Tuesday it's eliminating 1,200 jobs company-wide through the first quarter of 2013, including 400 with the immediate closing of eight mines in West Virginia, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Alpha is closing the Alloy deep mine near Powellton and the Alloy surface mine near Boomer, both in Fayette County, and the Premium highwall mine near Gilbert and the White Flame Surface Mine near Wharncliffe, both in Mingo County. The Virginia mines are Guest Mountain deep mines No. 8 and No. 9 near Norton, and Twin Star Surface Mine near Hurley. In Pennsylvania, Alpha is closing its Dora deep mine in Jefferson County. Most workers may eventually be rehired at other locations. Only 150 won't have such opportunities. Alpha's Chief Executive Officer Kevin Crutchfield says the company is repositioning itself in response to several developments, including EPA regulations and global market changes in addition to a warmer winter. Alpha says its repositioning, including its headquarters, will reduce costs by $150 million and cut coal production by 16 million tons.