Mining Intelligence and News
United States

Central Appalachia Operation

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Categories

Overview

Mine TypeOpen Pit & Underground
StatusInactive / Suspended
Commodities
  • Coal (thermal)
  • Coal (metallurgical)
Mining Method
  • Contour Strip
  • Highwall
  • Room-and-pillar
  • Continuous
  • Auger
Mine Life... Lock
SnapshotThe Central Appalachia Operation, managed by Kopper Glo Mining, focuses on coal extraction in the southern Appalachian Basin.

Kopper Glo Mining is an associated company of Inmet Mining. Inmet Mining filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Code on April 5, 2023.
Related AssetsCooper Ridge OP Project, Cooper Ridge UG Mine, Cumberland Gap Project, Double Mountain Mine, Rich Gap Project

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Kopper Glo Mining, LLC. (operator) 100 % Direct
Industrial Minerals Group, LLC 100 % Indirect

Deposit type

  • Sedimentary

Summary:

The Property is situated in the southern portion of the Appalachian Basin, which contains two-fifths of the nations’ bituminous coal deposits and extends over 900 miles from northern Alabama to Pennsylvania.

The primary coal-bearing formations on the Property are Carboniferous in age, being in the Pennsylvanian system, which includes the Breathitt Formation. The average mineable seam thickness for coal horizons in these formations ranges from 1 foot to over 6 feet. The coal seams are generally continuous and non-complex but may vary in thickness and may also be locally absent. Seams retain normal stratigraphic sequence throughout the Property and no evidence has been observed that seams have been modified from pre-deformational thicknesses.

Mineable coal seams within the Property are typically low-ash with the exception of the Joyner seam, and highthermal content bituminous coals. The maximum seam thic ness may reach over 6.0 feet in the Upper Jellico underground mines; however, the average mineable thickness of the seams in this evaluation generally ranges from 1 foot to 4 feet. Seams are generally continuous, but may be locally absent. Secondary discontinuity due to erosional features is present in most areas, resulting in seam outcropping, or visible exposure of the seam at the surface. Other than oxidation of the coal exposed at the surface, erosion of the seams has no significant impact on the mineralized deposits. All seams outcrop on the property, with the exception of the Cumberland Gap seam, which is below drainage. Coal seams are characterized by both single bench and multiple-bench coal horizons with parting (non-coal) material varying by seam and area. Seam parting is common within the coal seams on the Property with intra-seam parting material increasing drastically in some areas. Roof strata are typically shale or sandy shale with zones of sandstone roof being common. Floor strata are typically sandstone, shale, sandy shale, or fireclay.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Production

CommodityUnits202020192018201720162015
Coal (thermal) Mt  ....  Subscribe0.30.160.50.50.7
Coal (metallurgical) k tons 135
All production numbers are expressed as clean coal.

Production Costs

CommodityUnits2017
Total cash costs (sold) Coal (thermal) USD 60.5 / ton  
Operating margin Coal (thermal) USD 1.83 / ton  

Financials

Units2017
Capital expenditures M USD 2  
Revenue M USD 46.4  
After-tax Income M USD -24.9  
EBITDA M USD 20.4  

Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Sep 5, 2024

EmployeesYear
...... Subscription required 2019
...... Subscription required 2018
...... Subscription required 2016

Aerial view:

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