Southern Ind. mines create new jobs

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Just outside of Oaktown, construction crews are working to get Vectren's Black Panther Mine up and running. The company expects to begin bringing coal out of this mine this year and eventually employ 200 miners.

In Sullivan County, Peabody Coal is opening a pit in the Bear Run Mine that will become one of the nation's largest surface mines and employ 350 people.

The expansion of the mines comes as many other industries are laying off workers.

"Perhaps it's coming at a good time where a lot of other industries are suffering so there's some hopefulness out there," Vincennes University mining program director Ron Bucci said.

There are many students who are undergoing the compliance and safety training needed to get a mine job. Most of the men are out of work and ready for a career change.

Vincennes University officials said demand for the compliance class has risen dramatically, and the university is training around 120 people per month.