June 4, 2025 - Layoffs continue as the mining industry suffers an uncertain fate in West Virginia.

Yesterday morning, roughly 200 miners in Wyoming County were told that their jobs would cease on August 4.

The workers at the Itmann Mine #5 and Itmann Preparation Plant will not be employed there for at least six months following that August termination date.

Core Natural Resources, the owner of that Wyoming County operation, reported a net loss of $69.3 million in its first quarter of 2025.

Other Core owned mines in Logan County and Barbour County are also seeing layoffs this year.

That is not the only coal company seeing losses and layoffs in West Virginia.

Coronado Global Resources posted a net loss of 96.2 million for their first quarter of the year. Layoffs have been announced at a mine in Logan County.

Coronado also laid off 140 miners at mine over the border in Southwest Virginia this year.

Another company, Alpha Metallurgical Resources, reports a first quarter net loss of $33.9 million. They terminated workers from a mine in Boone County last winter.

The price of Metallurgical quality coal is being cited as in issue for coal companies.

“Market conditions remain challenging with continued low Met Coal pricing,” said Coronado’s quarterly report.

The price of coal today is down 27% from last year.

Metallurgical coal was recently designated a “critical material” by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright

“Metallurgical coal is more than a fuel—it is a cornerstone of our industrial base,” said Secretary Wright. “By designating metallurgical coal as a critical material, we are ensuring that American steel, generated by American coal, remains the backbone of our manufacturing sector.”  

This was done in accordance with Trump’s executive orders made in the hopes of boosting the mining industry.

“All those plants that have been closed are going to be opened, if they’re modern enough, (or) they’ll be ripped down and brand new ones will be built. And we’re going to put the miners back to work,” said Trump at the time of the order signing.

Governor Patrick Morrisey is also seeking to boost the mining industry through his microgrids bill which successfully became law this past legislative session. The Public Service Commission recently ruled to extend the life of coal-fired power plants, in accordance with that new law.

The ruling prompted optimism in those with the West Virginia Coal Association.

“This is exceptional news for West Virginia’s economy and workforce,” said Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association. “These efforts dovetail with President Trump’s Executive Orders to maximize the use of coal for economic prosperity, national security and energy independence.”  

Though these orders and rulings have gone through, the price of metallurgical coal remains low and lay-offs continue in coal country.

Governor Morrisey also recently announced cutting ties further with China’s government, a major purchaser of coal from West Virginia.

“Coal miners built West Virginia, and we owe it to them to look out for their best interest at all times. I am saddened to hear of the reported layoffs in Wyoming County,” said Morrisey in a statement. “My administration is committed to helping these folks and their families find meaningful work as quickly as possible.”

WVVA has reached out to the West Virginia Coal Association and Core Natural Resources for comments on the Itmann layoffs and as of 3:37 on June 3 we have not received responses.