US coal mining industry faces gloomy future

Bobtown, Pennsylvania

WHEN Nic Zmija applied for a job at the 4 West coal mine three years ago, he was tantalised by a fat raise and a secure future. Once hired, he was told that someday even his two young sons had jobs waiting for them.

"It all sounded good," Mr Zmija recalled with a tight smile while sitting at his kitchen table the other day. "They said my kids would be able to retire here."