New Coal Mine To Begin Production In Raleigh County

Coal production will begin this month at the new Beckley Pocahontas Mine in Raleigh County. The mine, owned by International Coal Group of Scott Depot, W.Va., is ready for operation after a year of construction and preparation. Company officials say the mine will not reach full production capacity until mid-2008. At full capacity, the mine is expected to yield 1.4 million tons of high-grade metallurgical coal per year. About 150 miners will work underground in three shifts, maintaining a continuous operation. Another 30 workers will man the large new “prep plant” that cleans the coal in preparation for shipment.