Murray Energy Corp. issued a warning Dec. 26 that there will be a mass layoff and plant closing at the company's Genesis mine in Kentucky.

The layoffs, affecting 250 employees, will begin Feb. 24, 2020, or within two weeks after that date. Employees were notified that the layoff will be permanent, according to a notice sent to Kentucky officials.

Murray Energy is going through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. In early 2018, a Murray Energy subsidiary acquired a 100% interest in the Genesis mine and other Illinois Basin coal properties from Armstrong Energy Inc. during Armstrong's own bankruptcy reorganization. Weakening export markets, coupled with a steadily declining customer base, are putting pressure on Illinois Basin coal production.