In its recent earnings report, Cloud Peak Energy announced Asian exports were up approximately 27% for the fourth quarter 2011 to 1 million tons from 800,000 tons in the fourth quarter 2010. For the full year, Asian exports were 4.7 million tons, up 42% from 3.3 million tons in 2010.

Britain’s Atlantic Coal Plc says it is pursuing an acquisition of additional anthracite mining assets in Pennsylvania’s anthracite field, a move that could allow the company to develop another open-cast mine in the state. In mid-February, the company entered into an option agreement with an unidentified party. The option price is $35 million and the exercise period ends October 31, 2012.