During the last several months, CONSOL announced a planned two-week idling of Blacksville mine and a one-week idling of Robinson Run mine, due to weak thermal coal markets. The Fola mine was also idled. Then, in early September, the company announced the idling of its premier low-vol Buchanan mine for an estimated 30-60 days.
At the end of July, two newly-installed conveyor belts that feed the common Bailey prep plant collapsed, which impacted production at the Enlow Fork and Bailey mines. Engineers and contractors working around the clock had one belt rebuilt by the third week in August. The mines were re-started at a 60% capacity. The second belt was repaired in late September, so the fourth quarter began with the entire complex running normally.
CONSOL’s Coal Division produced 11.6 million tons during the third quarter, including 800,000 tons of low-vol metallurgical and mid-vol coal from the company’s Buchanan and Amonate mines. The company expects to produce 13.4 million – 13.8 million tons during the fourth quarter, including 600,000 at the Buchanan mine, which is expected to re-start on the week of November 5.
The CNX Marine Terminal also proved valuable in the quarter by loading 34 vessels with total outbound tonnage of 3.1 million, including third party cargos.
