Kentucky coal stats – Q1 2014

Kentucky coal production rose 1.4% in Q1 2014, according to preliminary date from the Energy and Environment Cabinet. The state’s mines produced 19.5 million short t – 71% from underground mines and 29% from opencast operations.

Regionally, the western part of the state fared better, mining 10.5 million short t – a 5.9% increase on Q4 2014. Union County remained the most prolific mining area, producing 3.5 million short t.

In Eastern Kentucky coal production dropped by 3.5% to 8.9 million short t – 52% from underground and 48% from opencast operations. Coal mine employment also dropped by 201 or 2.1% in this region, continuing a steep decline seen since 2011 when employment hit 14 285 in Q2 of that year. Coal mine employment now stands at almost half that at 7235.

Coal mine employment in the west of the state dropped by 34 to 4415 but has seen much less of a drop, having peaked at 4729 in Q1 2011.

Written by Jonathan Rowland

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/14052014/kentucky_coal_stats_q1_2014_coal839/