The decision will impact 250 jobs across three mine complexes at Kanawha Eagle, Rocklick and Wells in Southern West Virginia, US, where the production cuts will be implemented.
Patriot president and chief operating officer Bennett Hatfield said that the demand and price for metallurgical coal have declined in the past two months due to economic slowdown worldwide.
"These actions are designed to bring our production in line with expected sales and focus capital resources on our lowest cost operations as we proceed with our reorganization," he added.
Patriot Coal produces in 12 active mining complexes in Appalachia and the Illinois Basin the eastern US. It owns 1.9 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves.
