Alliance Resource Partners announced that its subsidiary Mettiki Coal (WV), LLC has issued WARN Act notices to the approximately 200 employees of the Mountain View Mine in Tucker County, West Virginia, and will cease production at the site.
The closure follows a series of planned and unplanned outages at the Mount Storm Power Station, the mine’s key customer, which has eliminated the demand for Mettiki’s low‑volatile coal. With no alternative buyer able to absorb the mine’s output, ARLP determined the mine can no longer operate under its current plan and will evaluate impairment and other options in the first quarter of 2026.
ARLP will update its 2026 guidance on February 2 to reflect the reduced sales volumes and the potential impairment of the Mountain View Mine. The company’s 2025 results showed revenue of $2.25 billion, an operating margin of 14.87 % and a net margin of 10.88 %, while maintaining a dividend yield of 9.82 %. These figures illustrate the company’s diversified business model, which includes oil and gas royalties and infrastructure investments that cushion the impact of coal market volatility.
CEO Joseph W. Craft III said the decision was difficult, noting that Mettiki’s viability depends on a minimum purchase of one million tons per year. He emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting the affected employees through reclamation work and potential severance arrangements.
The closure is a significant blow to Tucker County, where the Mountain View Mine was the largest employer and the only remaining coal mine. The loss of the mine will also reduce local severance tax revenue and have broader economic repercussions for the community.
ARLP’s broader strategy remains focused on harvesting income from existing assets, with no plans to add new mining units. The company is navigating a declining coal cycle while exploring investments in energy transition infrastructure, positioning itself for a gradual shift away from coal.
The market reaction to the WARN notice itself is limited; investors will likely focus on ARLP’s upcoming earnings release on February 2, which will provide a clearer view of the financial impact of the mine’s closure and the company’s revised guidance.
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