Alpha idles more mining operations in Southwest Virginia

WISE COUNTY, Va. -- Alpha Natural Resources has idled operations at a small underground mine in Virginia.

About 80 people will lost their jobs after the decision was made last week to close the Red Onion surface mine near pound at Bluff Spur.

Some of the workers were transferred to other mining areas in Southwest Virginia.

The decision comes as part of Alpha's cutbacks that were announced last fall.