Coal Companies Are Beginning To Shut Down Several Mines In Southwest Virginia To Help Prevent The Spread Of The COVID-19 Pandemic. The Virginia Department Of Mines, Minerals And Energy Announced The Closure Of Buchanan #1 Mine That Employs 543 Workers. The Mine Will Keep The Longwall Mining Section Crew Working This Week And After That, Only Salaried Staff Will Stay To Maintenance The Mine. A Small Crew Will Continue To Load Coal At Its Preparation Plant. Inmet Mining Also Intends To Shutdown. Nearly 100 Workers Will Be Impacted At Their Osaka, Pigeon Creek, North Fork And D-31 Mines.
