Since the beginning of 2025, West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky have lost more than 1,600 coal jobs, including several hundred layoffs announced Friday.
MetroNews first reported that Greenbrier Minerals, LLC plans to shutter seven mining operations. The company has issued a WARN Notice for more than 500 employees. The layoffs will begin on April 14 and will be permanent.
The company blamed the layoffs on adverse market conditions.
WARN notices are a legally required written notice when a company with more than 100 employees decides layoffs are necessary.
WorkForce West Virginia received the WARN Notice on Feb. 13. It notes that the job losses are expected to be permanent.
Just last month, the Mountain View mine, operated by Mettiki Coal in Tucker County, closed, laying off 200 employees. That mine will be completely closed by April 1.
The WARN for Greenbrier Minerals for the following locations:
- Toney Creek Surface Mine at 91 Toney Creek Road, Lorado, WV, 25360
- Elk Lick Loadout at 47 Elk Lick Loop, Lorado, WV, 25360
- Powelton #1 Mine at 13682 Buffalo Creek Road, WV, 25360
- Saunders Prep Plant at 13937 Buffalo Creek Road, WV, 25360
- Lower War Eagle #1 Mine at 1433 Toney Fork Road, Cyclone, WV, 24827
- Muddy Bridge Mine at 113 Devil Dog Way, Davin, WV, 25617
- Eagle No.1 Mine at 329 Dingess Branch Road, Lorado, WV, 25360
- Rich Creek/Lyburn Administrative Office at 119 Rich Creek Road, Lyburn, WV, 25632
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday directing the Pentagon to purchase energy produced from coal. Three West Virginia power plants received grants from the Department of Energy to make upgrades and keep them operating.