Alpha Natural Resources expects to idle W.Va. coal mine

BRISTOL, Va. (AP) — Alpha Natural Resources expects to idle a West Virginia coal mine that employs more than 400 workers.

Alpha says it notified 439 workers on Friday that it expects to idle Rockspring Development’s Camp Creek underground mine and processing plant in Wayne County.

Last week, Alpha cut 71 jobs at four mines in Kentucky and Virginia.

The Bristol, Virginia-based company attributes the cuts to weak demand for coal, depressed prices and government regulations.

Alpha chairman and CEO Kevin Crutchfield says in a news release that the actions are difficult but necessary to align production with reduced demand.