Core Natural Resources continues ongoing efforts to resume longwall operations at its Leer South mine in Barbour County, W.Va., following a combustion-related event at the mine in mid-January.
Personnel and regulatory officials re-entered the sealed area of the mine on June 10, and thereafter re-established ventilation to the full mine, restored hydraulic pressure along the longwall face, and conducted an extensive evaluation of the major equipment and infrastructure. As expected, the longwall was largely unaffected by the combustion event and major components and systems remain in good condition.
However, on June 26, the operating team found it necessary to evacuate the mine and begin restoring pumpable seals to the affected area in the wake of an increase in carbon monoxide levels. Core said its team is working closely with federal and state officials on a plan to recover and reposition the longwall equipment in an effort that is expected to be completed within four months.
“The Core team continues to do an admirable job of addressing the situation at Leer South in a safe and efficient manner, and we want to again thank federal and state regulatory officials for their invaluable assistance,” said George J. Schuller Jr., Core’s senior vice president and chief operating officer.
“While recent developments are expected to delay the restart of the longwall, we are encouraged by the condition of the mine and related infrastructure, and optimistic about the prospects of resuming longwall production during the fourth quarter.”
Core said it is reiterating its 2025 coking coal sales volume guidance despite the delayed restart of the Leer South mine and expects to provide a more detailed update on ongoing efforts at Leer South in its second quarter earnings release in early August.
Source: Core Natural Resources