Coal producer Alpha Natural Resources Inc. has told 292 workers in Kentucky and Virginia they are losing their jobs.
The announcement by the Bristol, Virginia, company on Wednesday is the latest blow for the Appalachian coal industry, which has been staggered by a succession of layoffs as demand for coal declines amid a move to cleaner fuels.
Alpha gave notice to workers at six mines and a processing plant of the layoffs ahead of a potential sale.
The biggest impact will be felt in Virginia's Wise County. The coal-mining county will see more than 180 workers laid off at two mines and two support operations.
In Kentucky, 111 workers are being laid off in Letcher County.
Besides Kentucky and Virginia, Alphas has mining operations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Wyoming.
