Chicago Tribune reported that an underground southern Illinois coal mine will close by the end of the year.

Knight Hawk Coal said that the 50 workers at the Royal Falcon mine near the boundary of Franklin and Jackson counties will be offered transfers to the company's Prairie Eagle site near Cutler, in nearby Perry County.

Knight Hawk blames the closure on difficult mining conditions and geological problems at the site.

Work at the Royal Falcon mine began in January 2008.

(Sourced from chicagotribune)