A southern Illinois coal mine is expected to close before the end of the calendar year.
Peabody Energy announced Monday the Arclar Complex in Saline County should stop production by the middle of December.
Up to 225 workers at the Wildcat Hills Mine and the nearby coal processing facility could be impacted by the closure.
The company says it's working to minimize the impacts on employees and their families and will offer positions at other Peabody operations where openings exist. Separation benefits will be offered to workers, along with outplacement assistance.
The Arclar Complex has operated in the southern Illinois region for more than 20 years and Wildcat Hills has been open since 2006.
Peabody is in discussions with customers to find other ways to meet their coal needs.
The Saline County mine sold 1.4 million tons of coal last year.