Alpha Natural Resources to lay off 60 in Ky., WVa

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Alpha Natural Resources has announced 60 layoffs at mining operations in Kentucky and West Virginia.

In West Virginia, the company says it will close part of a Wayne County mine and lay off 25 workers. It will also close part of the Ruby Energy mine in Mingo County and lay off 22 miners. One Delbarton Prep Plant worker will also be laid off.

In Kentucky, Alpha will idle its Taylor Fork mine in Pike County. Twelve workers will be laid off. Another 26 will stay on the job for an undetermined amount of time to remove equipment and close the mine.

In a statement, the Bristol, Virginia-based company cited an oversupply of thermal coal.

The mines weren’t in Alpha’s July notice warning that 1,100 layoffs could occur in West Virginia.

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