The mine, located in Wyoming County, West Virginia, has been shut since September last year after explosions that were believed to have been caused by a lightning strike.
In April/May, the mine got two continuous miner sections up and running but on May 6 when the longwall and goaf was unsealed the mine had to be evacuated for 72 hours. Both areas had been sealed a few weeks before to choke any remaining fire.
Pinnacle is a critical producer of over 3 million tons per annum of low-volatile, Pocahontas-seam coal which supplies coal to previous owner U.S. Steel.