It is reported that Peabody Energy is set to close in November, leaving 80 workers to decide whether to relocate to another mine or lose their jobs. Peabody notified the Indiana Department of Workforce Development this week that it will close one part of its Francisco Mine Complex.

Peabody will close the surface mine there, but keep open its underground mine and preparation facility.

Ms Beth Sutton spokeswoman of Peabody said that the surface mine, which opened in 1996, had shipped 1.9 million tonnes of coal in 2008. She added that "The mine has had a good run. We're providing employees with as much advanced notice as possible to plan the transition, and our goal is to place employees in open positions within our operations."

Ms Sutton said that the 80 workers who will be affected will likely have to relocate to continue working for Peabody. She added that "Within the Illinois basin, we have the number one market position."

(Sourced from www.courierpress.com)