DMME: Contura to temporarily close Dickenson County coal operations due to COVID-19

Bristol-based Contura Energy will be closing several of its coal mining locations in Virginia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy spokesperson Tarah Kesterson said Contura informed their agency of the closures of Deep Mine 44, 88 Strip, Long Branch Surface, and Four O—all located in Dickenson County. That will result in 286 workers being furloughed.

Kesterson noted that Contura will keep a few workers on at each site for maintenance while their McClure and Toms Creek prep plants remain operational.