Altogether, CONSOL produced 7.1 million coal tons in Q4 2013, including 1.2 million tons of low-volume coking coal from the Buchanan mine — an increase over 6.6 million tons and 0.7 million tons from Buchanan, year-on-year. All coal tons, added CONSOL officials, were restated to reflect the sale of five mines in Q4.
CONSOL Energy expects Q1 2014 production guidance up to 7.6 million tons with an annual total up to 32.1 million tons. Buchanan’s Q1 production is forecast up to 1.2 million tons; annual guidance is now up to 4.7 million tons.
Last year, CONSOL saw safety exceptions increase by 21%, to 162 from 134. In environmental compliance, its coal division further witnessed violations fall 41%, to 46 from 79 year-on-year. During the same period, CONSOL had a 14% reduction in total U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) violations across mines and a 17% reduction in such violations for retained mines.
In Q1, CONSOL’s coal division forecast completion of the BMX mine and the Bailey prep plant upgrades, the Enlow Fork overland conveyor belt, and the Buchanan mine’s Contrary service hoist, according to company officials.
