Production from Casselman was approximately 116,000 tons ROM for the three months to May 31, with the mine achieving record production of 45,000t in May.

The company also started development at its Ankeny surface mine with initial production expected this month, chief executive Don Charter said.

“We are very pleased with the performance of the Casselman mine and the commencement of the highwall mining operations at Hemminger,” he said.

“The company continues to make positive strides in its mining costs, with costs for the quarter expected to be lower than last quarter as a result of the performance at Casselman.

“With the completion of the permitting of the Acosta Deep project imminent and the ability to quickly expand Casselman, the company is very well positioned.”

Corsa expects to post the required bond for its Acosta Deep underground mine in the Middle Kittanning seam this month with the final permit expected to be issued shortly thereafter. It also expects to post the required bonds for its Ash and Hamer surface mines in June.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, Corsa sold 83,000t of clean metallurgical coal, bringing its year to date sales to 119,000t.

The company confirmed its stated clean metallurgical coal sales guidance for fiscal 2013 of approximately 300,000 to 320,000t and first quarter 2014 of approximately 45,000 to 60,000t.

Corsa continues to match production to actual sales and does not have unnecessary inventories of unsold coal.

“While the company remains optimistic that further sales will be achieved, it only reports future sales guidance based on currently contracted volumes,” it said in a statement.

“The company has continued to be successful in achieving sales as a result of the superior quality of its low volatile metallurgical coal product.”