Jul 13, 2013 1 min read

RUPERT, W.Va. (AP) — Alpha Natural Resources says it’s reducing its production in the southern West Virginia coalfields and laying off miners.

The Bristol, Va.-based coal producer says the reductions will impact about 100 employees, but about 80 of them will be offered other positions.

Media outlets report that Alpha is idling White Buck Coal’s Pocahontas mine in Rupert. A section of the Grassy Creek Mine also will be shut down.

Alpha is reducing production by just over one million tons. The mines and prep plants affected are spread across Nicholas, Greenbrier, Raleigh and Boone counties.

The company says the reductions are primarily due to an oversupply of metallurgical coal resulting in a price drop.