February 25, 2026 - Several coal mines in West Virginia were idled Monday, with more operations halted Tuesday, according to the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).

A union representative in the Pittsburgh office confirmed to 7News Tuesday that mines operated by American Consolidated Natural Resources (ACNR) were idled including their operations in Marshall and Ohio Counties.

According to our sister station 12News, mines in Marion and Harrison County have also been idled.

7News contacted the UMWA for comment. A communications coordinator with the union responded saying, “I apologize, but we do not have any further information at this time. This is a day-by-day basis at this point.”

No details have been released about why the mines were idled.

Governor Patrick Morrisey addressed the situation during his budget update press conference on Tuesday.

He says that the company, ACNR, has been going back and forth with the soil conservation district citing permitting issues.

I won’t go into all those details now, but the moment that was brought to our attention, we leapt into action. And we’ve been working with [the] Department of Environmental Protection, working with the company. We can’t afford to see those people out of work. And so that’s been my motivation.”

Gov. Patrick Morrisey | (R-WV)

Morrisey says a lot of the coal miners are returning to work on Tuesday and more will head back to the mines on Wednesday.

Several coal miners reached out to 7News to share their concerns over the uncertainty.  

One says it’s a tough situation, and another commented he’d been off work for the last two days with no communication from the company as to why.  

7News reached out to ACNR for more information about the recent pause in operations and have not received a response at this time.  

We will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.