Wkyt quoted Massey officials as saying that nearly 30 miners in Harlan County are out of work as Massey Energy idles a mine in the Coalgood community.

Officials in Harlan County said that the coal industry helped keep unemployment rates down in the area, but with a lower demand for coal, things could be changing. The 27 workers from Massey's Darby Mine Number 1 were sent home Monday. Some were told it was simply a case of supply and demand.

Mr Dan Mosley president of the Harlan County Chamber of Commerce said tat "They were basically called out of the mines while working, called out of the mines and just were told 'We've got all of this coal on hand, we really don't need and more right now, we're just going to have to send you home."

Mr Mosley said that "It's very unfortunate for the businesses in our community because they need every dime they can get spent here."


Massey Energy officials said that the underground mine was idled because of the poor economy and less demand for coal.

Mr Joe Grieshop Judge Executive said that "They have maybe as much as a 60 day supply of coal on the ground and that it is a slow moving time for coal."

Mr Grieshop said that some people are switching from coal to cheaper energy sources like natural gas but like many, he hopes these layoffs are just temporary.

Mr Grieshop said that "Harlan County is built on coal, when the coal economy goes to the negative side, we really suffer."

Mr Grieshop said that the demand for coal typically picks back up during the hot summer months. This Darby Mine in Harlan County is not the same Darby Mine involved in the 2006 explosion that killed five miners.

(Sourced from wkyt.com)