This is largely due to the overall reduction in the US coal market (total underground coal is down about 7.5% from 2001).

The data indicates that 2002 longwall production in the U.S. has increased to 52% of total underground production compared to 50% for 2001 (including gateroad development production).

Fifty producing longwall mines produced a total of 185.759 million clean tons in 2002.

The top mines were Consol Energy’s Bailey and Enlow Fork mines which produced 9.660 million clean tons and 9.569 million clean tons respectively. Canyon Fuel’s Sufco produced 7.6 million tons, followed by Twentymile Coal Company’s Foidel Creek with 7.573 million tons.

Next top producers were West Elk, 6.556 million tons, RAG’s Cumberland, 6.636 million tons, and Emerald 6.564 million tons.

See associated TABLE, link left.