In keeping with this market-driven decision, Canyon Fuel eliminated a total of 114 jobs at the mine, and plans to suspend longwall operations at the end of the current panel, currently planned for the first half of 2012.
“We regret the need to take this difficult action,” said Paul A. Lang, executive vice president of operations. “We want to thank the hardworking employees at Dugout Canyon for their dedication and their strong commitment to running a safe and productive operation. We hope to retain most, if not all, of these valued members of the Canyon Fuel team—and plan to offer positions to the affected employees at operations within Arch’s national network of mines.”
“Although we are reducing production at Dugout Canyon at this time, we believe there may be additional opportunities for Utah coal in the future—both here at home and in the global marketplace,” said Lang. “The next potential longwall panel at Dugout Canyon has been developed and any decision on future production will be based on what market conditions allow.”
Arch reiterated it has committed and priced 17.8 million tons of coal sales for 2011 from its Western Bituminous operations, which include Dugout Canyon, Sufco, Skyline, Arch of Wyoming and West Elk. Coal sales from Dugout Canyon totaled 2.3 million tons in 2010. Arch does not disclose production targets by individual mine. The company will provide affected employees with 60 days of wages and benefits in addition to a severance package. Relocation assistance also is available to Dugout employees who fill open company positions in other states.
