Walter starts Mine No. 7 longwall to boost met output by 3.5 million st

摘要

Walter Energy said December 15 it started longwall production at its Mine No. 7 East expansion that will boost coking coal output by 2 million short tons next year and as much as 3.5 million st in 2012. The additional production will increase "rated capacity for premium coking coal" from the company's Alabama-based mines to about 9.5 million st in 2012, Walter said in a release. The $175 million project started in 2005 will provide additional reserves worth 20 years of production over 19.5 square miles, it said. Tampa-based Walter also operates the No. 4 mine, which are North America's deepest coal mines.