The Hopkins loadout, named in honour of a former company employee, will be operated by affiliate Pioneer Fuel Corporation, the company said Friday.

Two years in the making, the facility can service trains of up to 100 cars and allows for direct rail access via CSX Transportation and RJ Corman Railroad Group.

“This enhancement allows for improved market penetration throughout the Eastern United States and provides Foundation with opportunity to make products available to export markets,” the company said.

Foundation Coal chairman and CEO James F Roberts added: “This new asset not only underscores Foundation Coal's commitment to being a safe and efficient coal producer; it also signifies the positive ripple affects of partnering. The joint efforts of many have created increased opportunities for higher wages and local employment, not to mention the economic impacts for many businesses and tax revenues for the State of West Virginia.”

The Maryland-based company has four mining complexes in West Virginia totalling approximately 200 million tons of reserves. In total, the company operates 13 coal mines and related facilities in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois and Wyoming, producing about 70Mtpa.