Massey outlines plans for major increase in metallurgical coal production

Massey outlines plans to up met coal production

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Massey Energy plans to increase metallurgical coal production used in steelmaking by as much as 62 percent to meet demand from rapidly recovering Asian economies.

Chief Executive Don Blankenship told analysts Wednesday that Massey already has deals to sell 10 million tons of metallurgical coal this year and hopes to sell as much as 2 million more. Last year, Massey’s metallurgical sales totaled 7.4 million tons.

Blankenship says much of the increased production is going overseas, including 2 million tons to India.

The company has already announced plans for a new metallurgical coal mine and a deal to develop mines with an Indian company.

Massey, based in Richmond, Va., operates mines in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia.