By John Siciliano 

June 9, 2017 - President Trump applauded the opening of a coal mine in Pennsylvania on Thursday, saying he is fighting for the miners.

Trump made the comments in a video message to miners at the opening of the Corsa Coal Corp.'s Acosta Mine in Somerset County, according to the Tribune-Review newspaper.

"Washington may be 180 miles down the road, but I want you to know each and every day, I'm fighting for you and all the forgotten men and women of America," Trump said.

The mine will employ about 70 to 100 miners and produce 400,000 tons of metallurgical coal per year, which is used in steel production. Demand for steam coal used in power plants continues to be sluggish.

The president said he was "absolutely thrilled" to address the opening of the mine, calling it a "great, great day."

"The miners of Pennsylvania are mining coal again."