A Dubois County coal mining company plans to layoff off up to 138 workers by mid-January.
In a letter to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development this week, United Minerals said it anticipates a permanent reduction in force at all of its locations. That includes cuts to staff at offices, mines and warehouses in Huntingburg, Lynnville, Oakland City, Newburgh, Evansville, Boonville and Elberfeld.
The cuts are expected to occur between Dec. 31 and Jan. 13.
In its letter, United Minerals says the layoffs were the result of a drop in coal sales, which they expect to continue. According to the Indiana Coal Council, the company produced 908,058 tons of coal last year — about 2 percent of the state's total coal production.
United Minerals did not return requests for comment.