
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 2, 1994                   TAG: 9403020054
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

AILING WESTMORELAND PLANS PLANT CLOSING

Westmoreland Coal Co., Virginia's third-largest coal producer, continues to struggle financially, in part because of continued low coal prices. Westmoreland, which last week reported a 1993 net loss of $103 million, or $14.74 per share, said Tuesday it had sent plant-closing notices to 133 employees in its Hampton Division in Boone County, W.Va.

Westmoreland said it expects the closing, along with that of its central machine shop and Hampton Preparation plant to be permanent.

The loss of a 300,000-ton coal contract led to the closing, said Gregory Daniels, president of the division.

Westmoreland also said Monday it was continuing efforts to restructure its Virginia Division, based in Big Stone Gap. The restructuring will include the closing of the company's Wentz mine and preparation plant in Wise County this year, affecting about 120 employees.

by CNB