Alpha Natural Resources has idled an underground coal mine in
southern West Virginia
Alpha spokesman Steve Hawkins tells media outlets that the
shutdown of the Brooks Run South Mining Cucumber operation is considered to be
permanent.
Hawkins says the mine's 36 workers were notified of the decision
on Monday.
He attributes the decision to an oversupply of metallurgical
coal and a drop in prices.
Metallurgical coal is used to produce steel.
Hawkins says the mine wasn't part of layoff warning notices
issued by the Bristol, Virginia-based company in July.
