[9] Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney held a rally at the mine on August 14, 2012, as part of his campaign.

[10] A group of miners complained to a local radio talk show that they were forced to attend the rally and feared they would be fired otherwise.

In response, the Democratic group ProgressOhio filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, which began an investigation that was later dropped.

The mine issued a WARN notice stating that all 106 workers would be permanently laid off at the time.

[2][5][13] State and county job services mobilized to provide workers with new employment opportunities.