Alpha Natural Resources Announces Cutbacks

• {Bristol, Virginia}...Bristol, Va.-based Alpha Natural Resources announced Friday that production will be reduced at ten mining operations, four in eastern Kentucky and six in southern West Virginia. Alpha says, due to decreased demand, 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. Approximately 320 employees will be affected. Alpha officials say, when completed, the adjustments are expected to reduce annual coal production by approximately 4 million tons. 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.