River View mine drives increases in coal sales as increased Illinois Basin production spurs Alliance to record quarter

摘要

Spurred by increased Illinois Basin coal sales volumes, Alliance Resource Partners sold a record 7.4 million tons in the first quarter, 1 million more tons sold than in the comparable 2009 quarter and 1.3 million tons more than in the fourth quarter of 2009. The new River View mine was the big driver, its production capacity still in growth mode. Overall Alliance sales growth occurred despite lower coal sales volumes in Central Appalachia, which reflected continued weak market demand as well as transportation disruptions. The timing of shipments and transportation disruptions also pushed Northern Appalachia coal sales volumes lower in the 2010 quarter, compared to the sequential quarter, Alliance reported.