Summary:
Alpha Resources operate high-quality, cost-competitive coal mines across the Central Appalachia (“CAPP”) coal basin.
Aracoma Complex
Seams with remaining reserve or resource potential include, in stratigraphically ascending order the: No. 2 Gas, Alma, Lower Cedar Grove, Upper Cedar Grove Chilton and Upper Chilton.
The generalized stratigraphic columnar section demonstrates the vertical relationship of the principal coal seams and rock formations on the Aracoma.
The coal seams reach the highest structural elevations along the southeastern margin of the Aracoma Complex, generally dipping toward the northwest. The upper seams of interest are situated above drainage and are accessible via outcrop, the deeper No. 2 Gas seam is below drainage where slope and shaft access are required. The rock formations between the coal seams are characterized by large portions of sandstone with shale units interspersed throughout.
Kepler Complex
Seams mined or with remaining reserve or resource potential include, in stratigraphically ascending order the: Pocahontas 3, and 6 (in the Pocahontas Formation); and the Beckley and Sewell (in the New River Formation).
Mineralization
The generalized stratigraphic columnar section demonstrates the vertical relationship of the principal coal seams and rock formations on the Kepler Complex.
Deposits
The coal produced at the Kepler complex is mainly a low-volatile, typically under 21 percent volatile matter bituminous coal. Some coal exhibits localized higher volatile zones of approximately 23 percent.
These valuable low-volatile coking coals have been extensively mined in the past, reaching the highest elevations along the southeastern margin of the Kepler and generally dipping toward the northwest. The seams of interest are situated both above and below drainage. The Pocahontas No. 3 reserves are below drainage, while Beckley reserves are accessible via outcrop on the eastern portion of the Property. The Sewell reserves, on the western portion of the Kepler Complex, are below drainage. Sandstone with interspersed shale units characterize the rock formations between the coal seams.
Kingston Complex
The evaluated coal seams within the Kingston Complex include the Upper, Middle, and Lower Clarion; Stockton; Upper, Middle, and Lower Coalburg; various Winifrede layers; multiple Chilton sections; Upper and Lower Hernshaw; various Cedar Grove splits; Peerless; Upper and Lower No. 2 Gas; Powellton; Upper and Lower Eagle Rider; Eagle A; various Eagle splits; Little Eagle; War Eagle; and Glen Alum Tunnel Upper Split, Douglas, and Sewell seams.
Deposits
The Kingston Mining Complex currently produces predominantly a High-Volatile-A product and Mid- Volatile product (with by-product thermal coal).
Due to the long history of mining in the region, high value of these coking coals, all the seams have been extensively mined in the past. The coal seams reach the highest structural elevations along the southeastern margin of the Kingston Complex, dipping toward the northwest. The surface mine seams, and the Douglas seam are all situated above drainage or near and are therefore accessible via outcrop. The Sewell seam is below drainage and has not been developed. The rock formations between the coal seams are characterized by sandstone and shale units interspersed throughout.
Marfork Complex
The Marfork Complex evaluates coal seams including Upper, Middle, and Lower Clarion; Stockton, Upper, and Lower Coalburg; Upper Winifrede Rider; Upper, Middle, and Lower Winifrede; Upper, Middle, and Lower Chilton A; Upper and Lower Chilton; Upper, Middle, and Lower Hernshaw; Upper and Lower splits of Cedar Grove and Powellton; Peerless Upper and Lower splits; Peerless C; Upper and Lower No. 2 Gas; Powellton; Eagle Rider 2; Eagle A; Eagle; Little Eagle; Glen Alum Tunnel; Beckley; and Fire Creek seams.
Mineralization
The generalized stratigraphic columnar section the vertical relationship of the principal coal seams and rock formations on the Workman Creek and Marfork Property.
Deposits
The coal produced at the Marfork Mining Complex is mainly a High-volatile metallurgical bituminous coal. The higher rank Glen Alum and Beckley coals will produce a Mid-Volatile and a Low-Volatile product.
Due to the high value of these High Volatile coking coals, all seams have been extensively mined. The coal rank increases with depth, with the highest seams having the greatest volatile matter content and the deepest seams exhibiting 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 Marfork underground coal seams of interest above drainage include the Chilton through the Glen Alum Tunnel and are accessible via an outcrop faceup. Below-drainage seams of interest include the Beckley and the Fire Creek and would require slope development access. The rock formations between the coal seams are characterized by large portions of sandstone with shale units interspersed.
Virginia Mine (McClure/Toms Creek) Complex
The generalized stratigraphic columnar section demonstrates the vertical relationship of the principal coal seams and rock formations on the Complex.
Deposits
The Virginia Complex produces both High-Volatile-A bituminous coal, and a Mid-Volatile bituminous coal as primary products.
Due to the long history of mining in the region and the high value of these coking coals, all the seams have been extensively mined in the past. The coal seams reach the highest structural elevations along the southeastern margin of the Complex, generally dipping toward the northwest. The seams of interest are generally situated above drainage or near and are therefore accessible via outcrop or through short slopes. The rock formations between the coal seams are characterized mainly by sandstone and shale units interspersed throughout.
Power Mountain Complex
The generalized stratigraphic columnar section demonstrates the vertical relationship of the principal coal seams and rock formations on the Power Mountain.
Deposits
Seam Description
The coal produced at the Power Mountain complex is High-volatile B bituminous coal based on the ASTM classification of coals. This ranking is for coal with greater than 31% volatile matter and a moist, mineral matter free btu of 13,000 to 14,000. These coals have historically been sold on metallurgical market. Due to the high value of these High Volatile coking coals, all the seams have been extensively mined in the past.
Elk Run Complex
The generalized stratigraphic columnar section in demonstrates the vertical relationship of the principal coal seams and rock formations on the Elk Run.
Deposits
The coal produced at the Elk Run complex is primarily high-volatile metallurgical bituminous coal. The highest seams, located on the hills, have the greatest volatile matter content, while the deepest seams have the lowest. The strata dip northwest from the southeastern margin. Seams like Upper Cedar Grove through Powellton are above drainage and accessible via outcrop faceup, with sandstone and shale formations between them.