Patriot Coal idles Big Mountain complex
Patriot Coal Corp. has begun to reduce its production of both coking and thermal coal, citing a weak export market and depressed domestic demand. The decrease in demand has lead Patriot to close its Big Mountain complex in Boone County.
The Big Mountain complex produced 1.8 million t of coal in 2011. Patriot has predicted sales volumes for the 2012 to be in the range of 27 to 29 million t, including met sales of 7 to 7.8 million t; this is down from 31.1 million t and 7.4 million t. last year.
The reduced demand for coal is not merely a phenomenon unique to the USA, even China, the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal, has reduced its imports as most of its power plants have large reserve stocks and remain well supplied.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/02022012/patriot_idles_big_mountain_complex/
You might also like
US Energy Secretary ensures Washington coal plant remains open ahead of winter
The US Secretary of Energy has issued an emergency order to ensure Americans in the Northwestern region of the US have access to affordable, reliable, and secure electricity heading into the cold winter months.