Bluestone Resources says it is hiring 290 more workers for its coal-mining operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia.

In West Virginia, the company says new jobs will be created at Keystone Surface Mine and at Bishop Surface Mine, which is reopening. Bluestone says it's also looking for miners at its operations in Pike County, Kentucky, and in Wise, Virginia.

Jay Justice, who operates the mines for Justice Companies, says workers are being sought to operate all types of machinery. He says the company is looking to hire right away.

The company says a new training program for a small number of inexperienced workers is also being initiated.