Massey Energy, a coal producer headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, has said that one surface mine in Logan County, West Virginia has already been reactivated and two more are underway.
These surface mine operations consist of approximately 4.4 million tons of steam coal and are expected to employ approximately 270 workers. These operations will primarily utilize existing equipment, requiring minimal capital expenditures, the company said.
Sandy Gap surface mine at the company’s North Surface Operation in Logan and Mingo Counties, West Virginia is expected to begin operation in June this year. This steam coal operation consists of approximately 400,000 surface and 240,000 highwall miner tons and is expected to be mined over the next 1.5 years. The operation is expected to employ over 60 workers.
Highland surface mine in Logan County is expected to restart operation in July 2010. This steam coal operation consists of approximately 920,000 surface tons and 355,000 highwall miner tons and is expected to be mined over the next 1.2 years. The operation is expected to employ over 120 workers.
Camp Branch surface mine in Logan County was reactivated in April 2010. This steam coal operation consists of approximately 2.4 million surface and 95,000 highwall miner tons and is expected to be mined over the next 2.5 years. The operation is expected to employ over 90 workers.
These surface and highwall miner operations are projected to produce approximately 1.3 million tons of steam coal through the remainder of 2010. This production was included in the company’s previous shipped tons guidance.