When the company was established in 1994, SHM shipped out five machines in five years to customers in the Appalachian Region but are now distributing throughout the Midwest and internationally - with 50 machines operating in the US and abroad.

“Worldwide energy demands are taxing producers, allowing them to see the immediate advantage of turning to highwall mining systems in order to produce consistently larger volumes of low-cost coal,” the company said.

“To date, the 50 SHM highwall mining systems placed have mined millions of tons of coal in seams ranging from 30 inches to 16 feet in thickness, with penetration depths up to 1000 feet.

“Rigid push-beam design and computer-controlled sump forces grant consistent and accurate cutting depth and the system also offers a fully automated cutting cycle.”

SHM said its systems are successfully producing 40,000 to 120,000-plus tons per month depending on the coal seam height and can recover 70% of in-place coal, plus the enclosed push-beam conveyor eliminates external ash dilution from the seam.

The company said the systems also create further cost savings for coal companies as they require only three to four man crews per shift.