On September, 18, 2012, Alpha Natural Resources outlined plans to restructure, saving the company an additional $100 million and idling 16 million tons of capacity. Between now and early 2013 the company will reduce its workforce by 1,200 positions. It currently employs 13,100. Alpha will immediately idle eight mines in Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, eliminating 400 jobs. The company plans to focus on its metallurgical coal leadership position and establish a durable core of cost-competitive thermal coal assets through a rationalization program.

Peabody Energy has ceased production at the Air Quality mine in Vincennes, Ind., and will permanently close the mine based on soft market conditions that make operations uneconomic. Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letters were provided to approximately 230 employees, signaling a 60-day period to plan for a job transition. Peabody is working with employees regarding placement opportunities at other Peabody operations. Air Quality produced 1.2 million tons in 2011.