The mine is expected to progressively close over the next two months after 66 were laid off at the mine last week.
About 55 people would remain on the job for the next 60 days to close the mine and remove equipment, among other duties, Alpha spokesman Steve Hawkins reportedly said.
The closure of the mine reflected the declining market for metallurgical coal and production at the mine had declined, meaning it was near the end of its life.
“With production down, it’s more difficult to get what’s left and the cost of running the mine versus the market price of the product left it running in the red,” he reportedly said.
“It’s difficult because it impacts men and women that work hard, and their families, but the company felt it was necessary in this situation.”
The peak production of the mine was in 2007, when it produced 570,000 tonnes of coal. Last year, it produced about 300,000t and was expected to yield even less this year.
