Private coal operator Armstrong notifies 110 workers of possibly layoffs

The US steam-making thermal coal market is on a downward trajectory from which it will likely not recover, as cheaper natural gas prices prompt power generators to shutter coal fired capacity. This is evidenced in privately held Armstrong Energy announcing on Thursday that its affiliate has issued Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notices to about 110 workers at the Equality surface mine in Ohio County, Kentucky, and some of its worker at the Armstrong preparation and dock facility.