The Kodiak coal mine in Montevallo officially closed Dec. 26. Walter Industries closed the mine because of high operating costs and a bad economic climate, according to a press release.

Only the mine’s underground mining operations are closed. United Land, a subsidiary of Walter Industries, will continue to operate the aboveground facilities, such as a prep plant and rail load-out facilities. Product from other Walter Industries mines will be brought to the Kodiak facility for aboveground processing.

About 90 workers are expected to be affected by the mine’s closure. Many of those employees will be offered jobs with Walter Industries’ other mining operations.

Walter Industries ran the Kodiak mine for about two years, said spokesman Mike Monahan.

The mine is located on Highway 270 in Montevallo.