The underground coal mine in Hazard, which is set to begin mining and processing again this quarter, is currently building its payroll up to 76 underground miners and 16 preparation plant employees - which will again grow to about 175 total workers as production increases.

PCR had been temporarily closed for the upgrade work, but also remained idle during the COVID-19 outbreak. It has now started the final underground development of installing seals to close off the mine's old works.

The installation of the seals, according to American Resources, will further reduce the E4-2 mine's operating cost and boost its safety.

"With PCR's restart, American Resources will initially operate the complex's E4-2 underground mine with one super section with plans to ramp up the mine's production by utilizing two super sections and one bridge section," the miner said.

"This mining plan will ultimately utilize five of the E4-2 mine's current six continuous miners."

It added the mine will run two eight- to ten-hour operating shifts as well as one maintenance shift daily over a 5.5-day work week.

PCR is considered to be American Resources' flagship asset. The room-and-pillar (bord-and-pillar) mine is one of several operations the miner owns in Kentucky and southern West Virginia.