Blackhawk Mining LLC is idling a metallurgical coal mine in West Virginia due to recent weakness in global coal markets, the company announced Jan. 7.

The company said 65 employees of the underground coal mine in Eskdale, W.Va., will be encouraged to apply for open positions elsewhere in the organization. The idled mine produced high-vol metallurgical coal for sale to domestic and international coke-makers and steel producers.

The mine produced about 400,000 tons of coal in 2019, according to Blackhawk. The permanent workforce reductions associated with the decision are expected in March.