Aug. 3--CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A statement is expected Monday morning regarding the future of the Samples Mine, one of the state's largest mountaintop-removal mining operations.

Janine Orf, director of investor relations for Patriot Coal, the mine's owner, confirmed that 60-day or WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) notices have been distributed to workers.

It was unclear Sunday how many workers would lose their jobs and whether the mine would cease operation.

A worker who did not want to give his name said Saturday that employees of the mine were notified that they are out of their jobs. The worker explained the letter said they will be given 60 days' pay to satisfy the required 60-day notice workers must receive when a company shuts down operations.

The worker said mine officials praised them just last week for their safety and production record.

A WARN notice is sent out in the event of a closure or a mass layoff not resulting from a plant closing, but one that would eliminate 500 or more workers or 33 percent of an active work force excluding recent hires, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

Federal law also requires the notices to be sent to state and county governments. State and local officials say they haven't received a notice, but have heard rumblings of a possible layoff or closure.

The nonunion mine, based in Cabin Creek, employs 225 miners and 36 office workers, according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Catenary Coal Co., a subsidiary of Patriot Coal Corp., operates the Samples mine. Patriot has 16 mining complexes in Central Appalachia and southern Illinois. Patriot bought the mine from Magnum Coal. Arch Coal originally developed the mine.

Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said a closure would be tough on families in the surrounding area and would affect other surrounding economic sectors.

"I won't be stunned if it happens, but I hope that if it occurs it won't be permanent," he said, adding that sometimes companies close, but rehire in 90 days. "It will be a big hit," he said.

Patriot Coal, like other coal companies, has had to slash jobs and face lowering production rates. Last year, production at the Samples Mine dropped below 3 million tons for the first time in the last decade.

Earlier this year, Patriot cut 220 jobs at other mines and office locations in Kanawha and Boone counties, among about 400 across the state.