In the 16-page 2008 Coal Producer Survey, the latest in a frequent record of statistics distributed by the group since the 1980s, coal production in the United States totaled about 1.17 billion short tons to the end of 2008 – a 2.2% jump despite the market downturn that brought coal consumption to a crawl in the latter half of the year.
On top of the output list was Peabody Energy, which produced a record 200.4 million tons, representing 17.1% of total US coal production.
This was followed by 144Mt from Rio Tinto Energy America, and in third place was Arch Coal with 140Mt.
Rounding out the top five was Foundation Coal Corporation, which reported 69.4Mt of output, and Consol Energy with 65.1Mt.
The survey also marked the top producing underground coal mines in the US for the 2008 calendar year, Consol’s Enlow Fork operation taking the top spot with 11.1Mt.
Two more Consol mines took second and third place in the rankings: its Bailey complex in Pennsylvania had 10Mt of output while its McElroy mine in West Virginia reported production of 9.6Mt.
Fourth and fifth place, respectively, went to Peabody’s Twentymile operation in Colorado and Arch’s 7.4Mt Sufco mine in Utah.
The NMA also noted that the US government was the largest reserve holder in the country with almost one-third ownership in the nation’s coal resources, equating to 88Bt of recoverable coal reserves.
Second was Great Northern Properties Limited Partnership with 20Bt in holdings.
Finishing out the top spots in reserve ownership were three production staples: Peabody Energy was in third place with 9.2Bt.
In fourth and fifth place were Consol Energy and Arch Coal with 4.5Bt and 2.9Bt, respectively.
Despite the good news – including a 38% spike in coal exports last year – the survey feedback the NMA received from US operators on outlooks going forward was not as bright.
“Reflecting less optimism for 2009 than 2008, only 12 per cent of the 49 survey respondents expected a stronger production year, down from 50 per cent in 2008,” the group said.
“Thirty one percent expect 2009 production to be at the same level as last year (up from 27 per cent in 2007), 29 per cent expect lower production (5 per cent in 2008), and 28 per cent did not respond to this part of the survey (18 per cent in 2008).”
Echoing many of its member producer companies, the NMA pointed out that the global economic recession had taken its toll on commodities, including energy fuels such as coal. However, that was not all that was in store.
“After a stellar 2008 production year, [Eastern and Western] US coal production in 2009 is expected to substantially contract due to domestic and global demand declines influenced by slumping steel, electricity and export markets,” the NMA said.
"In addition to weak economic conditions, coal production is being impacted by an increase in other renewable generation (wind) and displacement of coal demand stemming from slack natural gas demand, which has resulted in much lower natural
gas prices.”
The US holds about 263Bt, or about 25%, of the world’s coal reserves.
