October 8, 2026 - A Kanawha County, WV surface mine operator has announced the shutdown of a mining operation.

Panther Creek Mining has issued a WARN notice saying it plans to terminate 109 jobs in early December and the terminations are expected to be permanent.

The WARN notice, filed with the Kanawha County Commission, includes the shutdown of the Samples Surface Mine and Toms Fork Prep plant and loadout near Eskdale on Cabin Creek in Kanawha County.

According to the information submitted by the company, most of the 109 workers are rock truck drivers or mechanics.

The WARN notice said the cuts will begin Dec. 5 and continue for two weeks.

The news comes just a few days before the shutdown of another southern West Virginia mining operation. Boone County-based Eagle Horizon Resources previously announced the permanent layoffs of 71 workers at its coal mining operation near Ashford. Those cuts begin this weekend.