Although figures were up on a period-to-period comparison for the US coal giant, total coal production declined in May 2003 compared to May 2002 due to the depletion, sale or long-term idling of mines that occurred later in 2002. The aggregate impact on production from these events was 1.3 million tons.
CONSOL Energy produced a total of 5.3 million tonnes for the month with the Northern Appalachia mines of Bailey, Blacksville #2, Enlow Fork, Mahoning Valley, McElroy, Mine 84, Robinson Run, and Shoemaker producing the largest share at 4.1Mt.
Central Appalachia mines of Amonate, Buchanan, Jones Fork, Mill Creek, and VP #8 produced 1.2Mt and the Midwest and West regions including production from the Emery Mine in Utah and CONSOL Energy's portion of the Glennies Creek Mine in Australia chipped in with 0.03Mt.
On the Rend Lake Mine front, the longwall has remained idle since July 2002 and some equipment has been removed in the interim.
