Mining.com reported that an SNL Energy analysis of coal mine employment data from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration showed that the sixteen counties hit hardest by coal mine employment loss were in a contiguous band in Central Appalachia.

As quoted in the market news,

The data analyzed does not include a recent round of layoffs that occurred in the second quarter that will likely drag employment down even further. Murray Energy Corp. confirmed on May 22 that it plans to lay off 1,240 workers across its Northern Appalachia and Illinois Basin coal mining operations. Alpha Natural Resources Inc. on May 22 said it would lay off 439 employees in Central Appalachia — adding to the 71 jobs cut earlier that month.

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