Total Number of Longwall Faces Drops Below 50--Ownership for several mines in West Virginia changes hands

摘要

Last year proved to be a robust year for underground coal mines. Coal prices remained relatively strong throughout the year, especially for metallurgical grade coal. For those companies that employ longwall mining--the most productive form of underground coal mining--profit margins were high too. Despite the promising market conditions, five faces and three mines were removed from the Coal Age 2009 U.S. Longwall Census. One face was added to bring the total to 44 mines operating 48 faces. For the first time since Coal Age began tracking the longwall mines, the number of faces dropped below 50. A total of five mines operate two longwall faces. CON-SOL Energy remains the leader with 12 faces. Arch Coal operates five longwall mines. Robert E. Murray owns five longwall mines. West Virginia has 13 longwalls, followed by Pennsylvania (8), Utah (6), and Alabama (6).