United Minerals, a Huntingburg-based mining company, says it is reducing its workforce at all of its facilities and eliminating as many as 138 jobs.
The layoffs are expected to take place between Dec. 31 and Jan. 13.
"This drastic reduction in force is being contemplated due to a reduction in coal sales and anticipated ongoing reduction in demand for coal sales," United Minerals wrote in a letter to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
All employees have been notified, the letter says.
According to reports from the Indiana Coal Council, in 2012 United Minerals produced 1.47 million tons of Indiana coal. That production dropped to 1.17 million tons in 2013 and 908,058 tons last year.
The mining company contacted state officials in accordance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, which is commonly called the WARN Act. Under the WARN Act, employers are required to provide advance notice in the event of a shutdown or a mass layoff.
United Minerals did not return a phone call from the Courier & Press seeking comment.
The company's operations include offices in Huntingburg and Lynnville; mines in Lynnville, Oakland City, Elberfeld and Boonville; a dock facility in Newburgh; a river terminal in Evansville; and a washplant in Lynnville.