SIDNEY, Ky. – At least 45 miners are out of work at two Massey Energy coal mines in Pike County.

According to Jeff Gillenwater, the Fraley Branch surface mine has been idled, putting between 30 and 35 miners out of work.

“We are continuing to evaluate costs and production,” Gillenwate said. “In light of the national economy as well as the current coal market, we felt we had to close the mine.”

He said he was unsure when the mine would return to production.

The company has also closed one section of its Rockhouse underground mine at Johns Creek, according to Gillenwater.

“We were able to move most of those employees,” he told the Daily News. “Still, we had to lay off about 15 people at Rockhouse.

Gillenwater said that while new scrutiny on mining permits didn’t directly affect the decision to close Fraley Branch, permits do affect the local coal economy.

“The problems with the permitting process create uncertainty,” he said. “And that always makes problems for us.”