Alpha Natural Resources to reduce coal production

BRISTOL, Va. (AP) - Coal company Alpha Natural Resources says
that production will be reduced at some of its operations in
central Appalachia due to decreased demand.
The Bristol, Va.-based company said Friday that 10 mining
operations - four in eastern Kentucky and six in southern West
Virginia - are affected by the changes.
Alpha says subsidiaries in Kentucky and West Virginia will idle
four mines immediately and two others between now and early 2013.
Several other mines will alter work schedules or reduce production
crews.
In eastern Kentucky, the Cave Spur and Perkins Branch underground mines are idled immediately. Both are in Harlan County. The Coalgood surface mine in Harlan County will be phased out by the middle of this year, and the Big Branch West surface mine in Knott County will close in early 2013.
When completed, the company says the adjustments are expected to
reduce annual coal production by approximately 4 million tons.
Alpha Natural Resources Inc. has more than 180 mines and
processing plants in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West
Virginia and Wyoming. It employs about 14,000 people through its
affiliates.