GRUNDY, Va. — A southwestern Virginia coal company will lay off 72 workers over the next two months, according to WARN notices filed with the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.

Wellmore Energy Company has announced layoffs at three locations in Buchanan County. According to the notices, 28 workers at Grundy and 27 workers at Hurley will be laid off, effective Sept. 6.
Another 17 workers will be laid off in Big Rock on Oct. 4.

Wellmore Coal Company is a subsidiary of United Coal Company, which has more than 900 employees in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.