The mine employs about 90 people. Patriot’s announcement gives no clue as to their fate.

Besides the Patriot surface mine, the complex, near Henderson Kentucky, also includes the Grand Eagle Preparation Plant.

It is expected to produce about 1.2 million tonnes of thermal coal this year.

Reclamation work will continue as the site is restored to meet regulatory requirements.

Patriot filed for Chapter 11 production in July, citing cancelled contracts and plummeting prices.

It is also the subject of a federal class action against Peabody Energy and Arch Coal – filed on behalf of 10,000 retirees and workers whose health care and pension benefits were transferred to Patriot by Peabody and Arch before the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.