Coal mine idled in West Virginia, 260 out of work

A union official says a coal mine in northern West Virginia has been idled, with 260 workers losing their jobs, apparently because of adverse geological conditions and market issues.

Phil Smith, spokesman for the United Mine Workers of America, says another 59 people were laid off a few months ago at the Federal No. 2 mine owned by ERP Compliant Fuels, which has no other mine to transfer the workers to.

He says a few workers remain to prevent flooding and keep the mine ready to reopen, but coal reserves were getting thin.

Federal and state regulators say they were notified Nov. 30.

The company did not reply to requests for comment.

In September, CEO Ken McCoy told Platts.com that the mine had some roof falls and other geological issues.