National Mining Association

For Additional Information:
(202) 463-2625
Tom Johnson
Carol Raulston

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2002

A RECORD YEAR FOR COAL PRODUCTION ACCORDING TO ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATES

Recently released Energy Information Administration (EIA) preliminary estimates of coal production in 2001 indicate that last year's production totaled 1.118 billion tons, 4.2 percent above the nearly 1.074 billion tons produced in 2000.

EIA's estimate of coal production in the eastern part of the country, 522 million tons, is 2.9 percent above 2000. EIA data show production in the west totaled 596 million tons, an increase of 5.3 percent. The nation's leading coal producing states all mined over 100 million tons each in 2001 -- Wyoming (367.7 million tons); West Virginia (161.1 million tons); and Kentucky (129.6 million tons). Coal production in Wyoming and West Virginia were up from 2000 (8.5% and 1.8% respectively), while Kentucky's production was down slightly (-0.8%).

Leslie Coleman, assistant vice president for statistical services of the National Mining Association, noted that while the production numbers are preliminary, "they do point to a record year for coal production that is likely attributable to coal's affordability and reliability as a fuel to produce energy."

EIA's preliminary numbers are usually revised several times before final production numbers are published in late fall. The estimated figures represent a record production year over the previous coal production record of 1.117 billion tons set in 1998. The production figure also marks the 8th consecutive year of coal production over a billion tons and the ninth time production has exceeded a billion tons.

The National Mining Association included EIA's detailed state and national coal production estimates in NMA's Weekly Statistical Summary (WSS) in the January 11 edition available to NMA members and subscribers. The WSS also includes estimates of weekly electricity generation by region, weekly steel output, and daily copper and gold prices as reported by the London Metal Exchange.

The U.S. mining industry produces coal, metals, building materials, and many other essential minerals that define the daily lives of 281 million Americans. The mining industry generates over $500 billion in total economic benefit each year and helps to sustain nearly 3 million U.S. jobs.