One of the nation's largest coal producers
CONSOL Energy is one of the nation's largest coal producers with
more than 4.5 billion tons of proven and probable reserves. With 96
percent of its coal coming from underground, the company is also
the largest producer of coal from underground mines. Only four
percent of the company's coal comes from surface mines.
Mining Coal
Where geology is favorable and CONSOL Energy reserves are
sufficient, the company utilizes longwall mining systems in its
underground mines. Mines equipped with longwall technology are
highly mechanized and provide increased production. In 2007, about
88 percent of CONSOL Energy's production came from mines equipped
with longwall mining systems.
An integral part of the longwall mining process is the
continuous mining machines. These units are used to carve out the
longwall panels by driving "entries" into the coal seam, providing
access for miners and equipment, streams of air for ventilation
purposes, the dimensions of longwall panels and escape routes.
Coal Preparation
At certain, CONSOL Energy and contract mines, traditional
surface mining techniques using small stripping shovels, front-end
loaders and dump trucks mine coal along ridge tops and transport it
to preparation facilities. The company operates 18 mining complexes
throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and West
Virginia. Coal produced at these locations is transported to
customers by unit trains, river barges, trucks, conveyor belts or
by a combination of these techniques.
For sales information, contact:
Jim McCaffrey
Sr. VP Sales
CONSOL Energy Sales Company
Phone: (724) 485-4000
jamesmccaffrey@consolenergy.com