The company’s bankruptcy petition listed 10 facilities in Virginia among the company’s principal assets. These include the Osaka Mine in Appalachia, Tunnel Mine in St. Charles and multiple mines at Jewell Ridge.

It was unclear Monday whether work has come to a standstill at all 10 facilities, but in interviews, workers from at least two sites in Southwest Virginia said they were blindsided early last week when they heard from supervisors and colleagues that the company declared bankruptcy and their work was being paused.

Williamson, who worked at a Jewell Ridge mine, said he was out of town with his family last week and first heard about the situation Monday night when co-workers started messaging him.

Others said they learned about it on social media.

The problems worsened for some employees when they said recent paychecks failed to clear their banks. Employees said the amounts from their June 28 paychecks were deducted from their accounts, leaving some with negative balances.

“I’m sitting here wondering, how am I going to get my bills paid?” said Bobby Allen, who worked in the Osaka Mine.