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United States

Elk Run Complex

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Summary

Mine TypeUnderground
StatusCare and Maintenance
Commodities
  • Coal (metallurgical)
Mining Method
  • Continuous
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SnapshotThe Elk Run Complex includes the Checkmate Powellton Mine and the Chess Processing Preparation Plant.

The Elk Run Mining Complex was initially idled in 2015; however, the first production cuts in the Checkmate Powellton mine were made in October 2023. Management made the decision to idle the property in November 2024 and the mine is currently on a care and maintenance status with plans to re-start production in 2026.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. 100 % Indirect
Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. (Alpha) controls coal reserves located at the Elk Run Complex through its wholly-owned subsidiary Elk Run Coal Company, LLC.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • Sedimentary

Summary:

The Elk Run Mine Complex lies in the Central Appalachian Coal basin in the Appalachian Plateau physiographic province.

The Appalachian Basin is more than 250 miles wide and, in some portions, contains over 60 coal seams of varying economic significance. Coal seams and zones of economic significance typically range between 24 and 48 inches in thickness, with relatively little structural deformation.

Identified coal resources and reserves are located in the Upper Cedar Grove, Peerless and Powellton seams. These coal seams are historically utilized as coking coal. Strata on the Property reside in the Pennsylvanian-aged (approximately 290 to 330 million years ago) Kanawha and New River Formations. The rock formations between the coal seams are characterized by large proportions of sandstone interspersed with shale units.

The coal seams reach the highest structural elevations along the southeastern margin of the Property, generally dipping toward the northwest.

Strata on the Property are mostly of the Pennsylvanian-age Kanawha Formation. The rock formations between the coal seams are characterized by large proportions of sandstone interspersed with shale units.

Coal seams with remaining reserve or resource potential evaluated in descending stratigraphic order the: Upper Cedar Grove, Peerless and Powellton seams.

The coal produced at the Elk Run complex is mainly a High-volatile metallurgical bituminous coal. Due to the high value of these High Volatile coking coals, all the seams have been extensively mined in the past. Generally, the coal rank increases with depth whereas the highest seams stratigraphically and physically on the hills exhibit the greatest volatile matter content and deepest seams exhibit the lowest volatile matter content.

The highest structural elevations are along the southeastern margin of the Property with the strata generally dipping toward northwest. The seams of interest are above drainage include the Upper Cedar Grove through the Powellton and are accessible via an outcrop faceup. The rock formations between the coal seams are characterized by large portions of sandstone with shale units interspersed throughout.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Heavy Mobile Equipment

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Commodity Production

The first production at the Checkmate Powellton mine began in October 2023. In November 2024, Alpha Metallurgical Resources decided to idle the property, and the mine is currently in a care and maintenance status.
CommodityUnits20242023
Coal (metallurgical) Mt  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
All production numbers are expressed as clean coal.

Operational metrics

Metrics20242023
Hourly processing capacity  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe

Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Mine Financials

Units20242023
Book Value M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Mar 7, 2025
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Workforce

EmployeesYear
...... Subscription required 2024
...... Subscription required 2023

Aerial view:

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