Trucks dump their loads of coal at Murray Energy Corp.’s New Era Mine outside of… Murray Energy Corp., the largest privately held coal miner in the U.S., has warned it may soon undertake one of the biggest layoffs in the sector during this time of low prices. In a notice sent to workers this week, Murray said it could lay off as many as 4,400 employees, or around 80% of its workforce, because of weak coal markets . The company said it anticipates “massive workforce reductions in September.” The law requires a 60-day waiting period before large layoffs occur. The American coal industry, especially in Appalachia, has languished as cheap natural gas replaces coal as fuel for power plants. World-wide demand for coal has also slumped, and new environmental regulations are making many coal mines unprofitable to operate. The Central Appalachian coal price index is around $40 a ton, […]