The low-volume operation located on the border of Virginia and West Virginia will see the changes immediately, the company said, calling the stoppage temporary until markets stabilise.

It also noted Berwind would continue to operate "at a reduced rate" to fulfill existing customer commitments.

"The continued deterioration of both the domestic and export metallurgical coal markets, driven in large part by the COVID-19 pandemic, have led us to make this difficult decision," executive chairman Randall Atkins said.

"We remain committed to the completion of our Berwind slope development to full capacity when the market has more clarity."

Berwind, which has been in production since late 2017 and has a life span exceeding 20 years, extracts from the Pocahontas 3, Pocahontas 4 and Squire Jim seams. The company's ultimate goal is for the mine to produce 1 million tonnes annually.

Ramaco has five coal mines across Appalachia, including southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania.