The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. announced on Wednesday that it will take over the defined benefit plan of James River Coal Co., the agency announced Wednesday, PIOnline.com reported yesterday. The Richmond, Va.-based mining operation, which includes 33 subsidiary companies, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Richmond. The company sold most of its assets in bankruptcy to Blackhawk Mining LLC following court approval Aug. 28, according to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. Blackhawk Mining is not assuming the pension plan. Participants in the $74 million James River Coal Company Employees' Pension Plan will continue to receive benefits from the company until the PBGC assumes responsibility. PBGC officials estimate that the plan is 61 percent funded, with a shortfall of $47.1 million, of which the PBGC expects to cover $44.6 million. The company's defined benefit plan was terminated as of Aug. 31, 2014.
