The Marshall County mine was shut in April when Consol Energy throttled back its coal production due to low demand. Some 96 workers were laid off then and a further 300 a month later.

Associated Press Newswires quoted Consol spokesman Tom Hoffman as saying Consol had plans to increase production at McElroy from 7 million tons a year to about 12.5 million tons a year by the fourth quarter of 2003. The expansion is expected to create 100 to 150 new jobs.

Hoffman said Consol is expanding the mine and the Robinson Run preparation plant near Shinnston to fulfill a seven-year contract with American Electric Power. In July 2001, Consol purchased four mines in West Virginia and Ohio from AEP, and agreed to supply the utility company with fuel.

During the three-month shutdown at the McElroy Mine, work was completed on a new coal processing plant.