Knox Creek Mine

{{#Badges: CoalSwarm}} The Knox Creek Mining Complex is an idled metallurgical coal mining complex in Tazewell County, Virginia.

Location

The map below shows the mining complex in Raven, Virginia.

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Background

The underground coal mine began operating in 1997 and was owned by Massey Energy. According to Massey Energy's 2008 10K, the complex "includes one underground room and pillar mine and a preparation plant. Production from the mine is belted by conveyor system to the preparation plant. The preparation plant has a feed capacity of 650 tons per hour. The preparation plant serves customers on the Norfolk Southern rail system with unit trains of up to 100 railcars."

On January 31, 2011 Alpha Natural Resources acquired coal producer Massey Energy for US$7.1 billion, completed in June 2011, creating the largest producer of metallurgical coal in the US. Soon after, Alpha Natural Resources (ANR) suffered four years of losses, laid off 4,000 workers, and closed all but 50 mines. Due to its "abnormally low" stock price, ANR was delisted from the NYSE on July 16, 2015. With debts of $3 billion dating from its acquisition of Massey Energy for $7.1 billion in 2011 the firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on August 3, 2015.

In July 2016, Ramaco Resources acquired the mining complex from the bankruptcy estate of Alpha Natural Resources. The mine was idled at the time of purchase. According to Ramaco Resources, "We are currently evaluating the feasibility of metallurgical deep mine at the location, and initial production could begin in late 2019 or early 2020."

Mine Data

• Owner: Knox Creek Coal
• Parent company: Ramaco Resources
• Location: Raven, Tazewell County, Virginia, USA
• GPS coordinates: 37.122703, -81.873431 (exact)
• Production: 706 thousands of tons (2007)
• Type of coal: High Vol Met, Utility, and Industrial
• Mine type: Underground
• Equipment:
• Number of employees:
• Established/Acquired: 1997
• Recoverable Reserves: 75 million metric tons (69 proven, 6 probable)

Articles and resources

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