Thanks for bringing that up mokita.
I guess you can admit that it is sad that all those workers in the US are losing their jobs due to declining prices. This will surely make it financially difficult for those families and I feel for them during these tough economic times as I'm sure you do as well.
I'm sure we all hope that things will turn around for everyone concerned.
Hopefully by 2015 when coal prices are expected to rebound as you pointed out, and the Raven coal mine is expected to start production if all permits get approved, there will be a lot more families that need work getting benefits from the mines operations.
It's a hard time right now mokita, and you're right, it's hard on all the familes that are effected financially by the mines that are laying off due to the cyclical weakness in coal pricing.
That's something to look forward to in 2015 as you have pointed out, the time when the so-called experts predict strengthening of coal prices. Hopefully things improve before then, especially for those that are effected now. atb