By The Associated Press
PINEVILLE, W.Va. (AP) - Cliffs Natural Resources has cut its workforce in half at two coal mines in Alabama and West Virginia.
Both the Oak Grove Mine in Alabama and the Pinnacle Mine in West Virginia produce metallurgical coal, which is used for steel production.
Multiple media outlets report that Cliffs announced the job cuts last week.
The company says the cuts are part of a new operating plan aimed at reducing its North American coal business' costs.