Published: August 05, 2009 12:57 pm      

Samples surface mine to close

Patriot Coal plans to shut down a surface mine in southern West Virginia in order to concentrate on production at lower-cost operations.

According to published reports, workers at Patriot’s Samples Mine have been notified that they will lose their jobs effective Oct. 1.

The Cabin Creek-based mine is operated by subsidiary Catenary Coal Co. and has an annual production of about 2.5 million tons, according to The Associated Press.

Patriot CEO Richard M. Whiting, whose firm operates mines in West Virginia and Kentucky, told the AP closing the Samples mine will allow the company to keep reserves until coal prices improve.

All told, about 300 workers will lose their jobs, including some at a loadout facility.

“While some may write this off as just another sign of economic times, that is of no condolence to the employees, their family members and other affected parties,” Kent Carper, president of the Kanawha County Commission, told The Charleston Gazette.